Smile Bright, Live Light: How Your Water Bottle Affects Cosmetic Dental Health and the Environment

Imagine stepping into your cosmetic dentist's office with concerns over subtle changes around your mouth. You might be surprised to learn that your daily water bottle is contributing to those fine lines. In this blog post, we'll explore unexpected sources of dental and facial concerns, including the effects of plastic water bottles on your smile and skin. Discover why switching to sustainable hydration solutions could be a key step in maintaining both dental health and youthful skin.

The Unseen Impact of Water Bottles

Premature Aging from Constant Puckering

Did you know that the simple act of drinking from a plastic bottle could affect your cosmetic dental health? Constant puckering may contribute to fine lines, potentially complicating the outcomes of cosmetic dental procedures like veneers or orthodontics. Cosmetic dentists often address these concerns, as maintaining the area around the mouth is crucial for a harmonious smile.

Expert Insight: Dr. Aalam Samsavar, a cosmetic dentist, notes, "Patients are often concerned about smile lines. Regular use of narrow-mouthed plastic bottles can exacerbate these lines, affecting the overall aesthetic of their smile enhancements."

Unlock the secrets to a healthier smile and a greener planet with our latest video! Explore how everyday choices like using plastic water bottles affect your dental aesthetics and the environment. Learn about sustainable alternatives that enhance oral hygiene and support cosmetic dental health. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their smile and reduce environmental impact. Watch now for expert tips from a leading cosmetic dentist on maintaining your dental health while embracing eco-friendly habits. Don't forget to subscribe for more insights into cosmetic dentistry and sustainable living

Health Risks Linked to Plastic Usage

Chemical Leaching and Oral Health

While the broader health risks of chemicals like BPA are well-documented, their specific impact on oral health is a growing concern in cosmetic dentistry. These chemicals may affect the gums and the stability of dental work, such as fillings and bonding.

Nanoparticles and Systemic Health

Emerging research suggests that nanoparticles from plastic bottles can find their way into the bloodstream, potentially impacting overall health, including oral health. Systemic health issues can reflect in dental health, influencing everything from gum disease susceptibility to the longevity of cosmetic dental restorations.

Environmental Consequences and Dental Health

Plastic Pollution and Public Health

The widespread environmental damage caused by plastic pollution also extends to public health issues that can influence oral health. Poor environmental conditions can exacerbate health disparities, including access to quality dental care, which is crucial for maintaining the results of cosmetic dental treatments.

Resource Waste

Using plastic water bottles is not only inefficient but contradicts the principles of holistic dental care, which emphasizes long-term health and minimal waste. Every plastic bottle used takes a toll on our natural resources—producing a single bottle consumes more water than it eventually holds and emits significant CO2 during production and transport. In cosmetic dentistry, we strive for sustainable practices that protect patient health and conserve resources. By choosing sustainable hydration methods, we align our daily habits with the values of durability and efficiency that are central to modern dental practices.

Economic and Social Considerations

Cost Implications for Dental Patients

The money spent on bottled water adds up quickly, with Americans spending billions annually on something that flows nearly free from our taps. This expenditure could be redirected towards regular cosmetic dental care, investing in treatments that enhance not only the beauty of one’s smile but also long-term dental health. Regular dental check-ups and treatments such as teeth whitening, straightening, and veneers offer lasting value far beyond the temporary convenience of a plastic bottle.

Social Inequality

Access to clean, safe drinking water is a privilege that not everyone enjoys, and the reliance on bottled water can exacerbate social inequalities. In the realm of dental health, those without access to fluoridated tap water may experience more dental decay and other oral health issues. Cosmetic dentistry plays a role in mitigating these disparities by providing solutions that enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of one’s teeth, thereby boosting confidence and improving quality of life across various socio-economic backgrounds.

Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic Water Bottles

Switching to reusable water containers is more than an environmental statement—it’s a health-conscious decision that affects oral hygiene. Reusable bottles made from stainless steel, glass, or safe plastics reduce the risk of chemical leachate and help maintain the cleanliness of the water you drink. Additionally, using home water filters can improve both the taste and quality of tap water, ensuring that it supports both your general and oral health. These alternatives not only conserve the environment but also promote better oral hygiene, complementing the preventative care emphasized in cosmetic dentistry.

Conclusion

By ditching plastic bottles, you contribute to a healthier environment and embrace practices that enhance your cosmetic dental health. Sustainable hydration solutions like reusable water bottles and effective water filters align with the goals of cosmetic dentistry by promoting overall health, beauty, and environmental responsibility. As we become more conscious of our choices, we see how deeply interconnected our health is with the health of our planet.

Call to Action

Are you ready to make a change that benefits your smile and the world around you? Join the movement and kiss plastic goodbye. Your health, your smile and our planet will thank you.. Share this blog with friends and family to spread the word about the positive impact of quitting plastic water bottles, both for our dental health and our planet. Let’s make a collective effort to reduce our environmental footprint and enhance our health—one sip at a time.

COVID 19 and our office.

To our valued patients, we hope you and your family are well in the midst of this unusual holiday season. Our community has been through a lot the last few months, and new restrictions are beginning to weigh on many of us. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: Our commitment to your Safety.

The additional precautions we put in place here at our office in the spring have been effective and we will continue to go above and beyond to ensure your safety and health. Here are the exacting protocols which include:

One patient, One Dentist, One chair

-Advanced Patient Screening emailed to all patients before their appointment

-Doorbell installed to enter into the office

-No one but our scheduled patient is allowed into our office

-Screening questions are asked upon entering the office

-Temperatures taken for each patient upon entering the office

-Hand sanitizer used by each patient upon entering the office

-Mask and gloves are readily available for each patient to use before entering the office

-Hand sanitizers readily available for each patient to use through-out the office 

-HEPA Certified Air filtration systems installed in several locations in the office

-State-of-the-art Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

-Complete sanitation of the rooms after each patient

-Three-step equipment preparation and high-temperature sterilization is used to clean all our instruments and equipment after each patient

-Distilled water used to wash all equipment after each patient

-Distilled water used for all procedures done for each patient

-Plastic covering for X-ray equipment that is thrown away after each patient

-Plastic covering for all chairs that get sanitized after each patient

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow these strict guidelines to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies' recommendations.

Taking care of you is our number one priority. You are Safe at our office. We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take and have taken to keep you and all our patients safe and healthy in our practice.

Nail Biting Can Ruin Your Teeth

Are you a nervous nail biter? Don't worry, you're not alone. While it's more common amongst children and adolescents, studies have found that anywhere from nearly a third to almost half of the population bite their nails.

Nowadays, nail-biting - also known as onychophagia - is considered a chronic or compulsive habit. Scientists have found a wide variety of reasons drive people to engage in the act, some of which include stress relief, perfectionism, and even a genetic predisposition to repetitive behaviors.

How Nail Biting Affects Your Health

Whatever the reason may be, you should know that nail-biting can be harmful to your health for three key reasons:

1.      Abnormal Nails. Damaging your nails can cause them to grow abnormally.

2.      Germs & Illnesses. The bacteria hiding in your damaged nails and skin can make you ill.

3.      Damaged Teeth. Nail-biting is harmful to your oral health and can damage your teeth.

To further explain the third reason, here are some of the ways that nail-biting can affect your teeth:

·        Structural Damage. Nail-biting can cause your teeth to chip, crack, and erode the enamel.

·        Malocclusions. Constant nail-biting can result in your teeth shifting place, resulting in a misaligned bite (malocclusion) or gaps between your teeth.

·        Root Resorption. The frequent movement of teeth caused by nail-biting can result in root resorption - having the roots of your teeth reabsorbed into your body. Your weakened teeth are then at a much higher risk of falling out.

·        Gingivitis. Gum disease can result from the dirt and germs hiding in your broken nails and the damaged skin around the nailbed.

·        Bruxism. Nail-biting has also been linked to bruxism, the act of grinding or clenching your teeth, which can lead to headaches and jaw pain.

Breaking the Habit

Now that you know how harmful nail-biting can be, there are several strategies you can employ to break the habit. For example:

·        Trim and groom your nails frequently so that you have nothing to bite.

·        Getting a manicure can make you less inclined to ruin your nails.  

·        Use a special nail polish with an unpleasant taste to discourage the behavior.

·        Track what triggers you to engage in the act and become more mindful of when it happens to break the cycle.

·        Replace the habit with something less harmful, such as using a stress ball to curb the urge to fidget or chew gum to keep your mouth busy.

·        Cover your nails with gloves or a Band-Aid to discourage biting. 

·        Consider wearing a retainer to impede your ability to bite.

If these methods fail to yield results, try reaching out to your doctor or dentist to discuss any additional treatment options available. Together we can solve the problem and keep your mouth healthy. 

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

© Aalam Samsavar DDS and www.drsamsavar.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

Clean Tongue, Stay Young

Did your parents ever threaten to wash your tongue with soap? While it won't cleanse your language, a regular tongue cleaning can help with your overall oral hygiene - just don't use soap!

Most people think they only need to worry about brushing and flossing, but properly caring for your tongue plays a vital role in controlling the bacteria causing bad breath and tooth decay. It can also help with your digestive health since your tongue is involved in the first stage of the digestive process.

What's on Your Tongue?

Your tongue is home to more bacteria than most places in your body, so daily cleaning is an excellent idea. It's primarily made of muscles, glands, and fat, all of which is wrapped up in a mucous membrane. The top of your tongue is called the dorsum, and it contains tiny papillae - nodes that hold your taste buds.

Those papillae structures also mean that your tongue isn't a flat surface. Instead, there are numerous cracks and crevices between the nodes, providing the perfect place for bacteria to hide and flourish. Those hiding spaces also make it difficult for mouthwashes and rinsing to effectively clean your tongue, which is why special tools are needed to really clean it well.

Tongue cleaning is actually a long-standing and ancient practice in some cultures in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. For instance, Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, includes tongue-scraping as part of its daily recommended hygiene practices.

Throughout history, in different parts of the world, various tools for cleaning the tongue have been created from materials like metals, ivory, whalebone, and more. Today, those tools are most often made from plastic or stainless steel, and they can be found at your local store in the same aisle as other dental care products.

How to Clean Your Tongue

The best time to clean your tongue is after brushing your teeth but before you rinse out the toothpaste. The best method is to use a tongue scraper. Just stick out your tongue, place the rounded end of the tool as near to the back of your tongue as you can bear, and then slowly pull it forward. Rinse the tool and repeat as needed to clean the entire surface of your tongue. Make sure to use less pressure next time if your tongue feels sore afterwards.

Tongue cleaning is best practiced at least once daily, alongside regularly brushing and flossing. If you have any questions, we are always your best source of information and can provide you with guidance on the kind of tools and techniques that will work best for you.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

© Aalam Samsavar DDS and www.drsamsavar.com, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.