Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes challenges for people’s oral health. At the Brentwood dental office of Dr. Lis Bradley, we want to make sure that our patients with this disorder understand what this disorder does and how it is tested for.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, creates an environment in which decay-causing bacteria flourish. Food debris remains stuck in the mouth, allowing bacteria to feed and multiply out of control. In people with Sjögren’s Syndrome, the immune system attacks the salivary glands, preventing them from producing saliva, and dry mouth commonly results.

Most cases of Sjögren’s Syndrome occur alongside lupus in older women. It seems to develop in people who are genetically susceptible after they have suffered an infection. It also causes the immune system to attack the tear ducts, resulting in dry eyes. If a patient presents with symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome, they will be referred to an oral surgeon who will take some samples of their saliva glands. (This is called a lower lip biopsy.) The tissues will then be analyzed in a laboratory. If a person does have the syndrome, they may benefit from the use of a water pick to help with their hygiene, and from throat moisturizers and medications to induce more saliva flow.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit Lis Bradley or call 615-778-0810.

 

Bad Breath Treatment

Bad breath can be very embarrassing, but it is a common condition and there are numerous ways to fight it. Medically called halitosis, bad breath can result from poor dental health habits, and may even be a sign of other health problems. At her dental practice, Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS will review your medical history for conditions that can cause bad breath and treat it depending on the cause.

You may not always know that you have bad breath. That’s because odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually get used to the smell. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause of bad breath such as infections in the mouth, respiratory tract infections, dry mouth and other illnesses like diabetes and liver disease. If a medical condition is not the cause of your bad breath, it can simply be reduced and prevented by practicing proper oral hygiene, seeing your dentist regularly, and kicking bad habits such as smoking.

If you have questions or concerns about bad breath or halitosis, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Clean Your Tongue

When you are brushing and flossing whether it is in the morning or right before bed, how much attention do you give your tongue? Cleaning your tongue in addition to cleaning your gums and enamel can improve bad breath, possibly eliminate it, and leave your mouth feeling cleaner overall. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS suggests investing in a tongue cleaner, but you have all the tools you need right at home.

Your toothbrush is a powerful tool and it can be used to clean the tongue. It may tickle at first, but brushing the tongue has many benefits, such as fighting bad breath, improving your sense of taste, and controlling unwanted bacteria that can contribute to tooth decay. If you don’t wish to invest in a tongue cleaner, a spoon can be a helpful tool to clean your tongue. Simply turn the spoon sideways and gently scraper forward any film that is on the tongue. Your mouth will instantly feel cleaner.

If you have questions or concerns about oral hygiene or dental health, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

How to Choose the Correct Toothpaste

Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS wants patients to keep their permanent teeth for a lifetime and doing so begins with a proper oral hygiene routine. Think about oral care as you would think of a recipe. If you use low-quality ingredients, it won’t taste as good. If you don’t use the proper tools to give your mouth a thorough cleaning, then all of your hard work will go unnoticed.  In this post, Dr. Bradley wants to discuss toothpaste. When it comes to choosing the toothpaste that is best for you, it’s important to consider your unique oral health needs such as:

• Anti-cavity: This type of toothpaste contains fluoride. Fluoride plays an active role in preventing decay, and it actively strengthens tooth enamel.


• Anti-gingivitis: If you spit blood in the sink, this is an early sign of gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease. Anti-gingivitis toothpaste help reduces oral bacteria and can be very effective at stopping gingivitis in its tracks.


• Desensitizing: If you’ve ever bit into an ice cream cone and felt a sharp pain in your tooth’s nerve, this type of toothpaste will provide relief by blocking the tooth’s pain signal to the nerve.


• Tartar-control: This toothpaste does exactly what it says, however, the best way to remove tartar is by scheduling a professional dental cleaning with one of our doctors.

If you have questions or concerns about oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Tooth Decay in Seniors

Patients can count on us for lifelong dental care at Dr. Lis Bradley’s Brentwood office. According to the most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay in seniors is far too common. Estimates for the number of people over sixty-five with untreated caries are as high as one in five. We believe that education is one of the best means of combatting this scourge.

Many seniors with tooth decay are people who had healthy teeth earlier in life. While their lack of access to fluoridated water during their formative years makes them more vulnerable to decay, the fact that their health worsened implies something changed in their oral hygiene practice. Some common problems are limited dexterity, which makes brushing and flossing difficult, as well as switching to foods that are sticky and high in sugar. Many seniors also take medications which cause dry mouth as a side effect. This makes them more vulnerable to oral infections because saliva is one of the most important means by which the body removes food debris.

With the expertise of Dr. Bradley’s team, all of these problems are fixable. There are many home dental products designed for people with limited dexterity we can recommend, as well as means of keeping the mouth moisturized. We also accept CareCredit health care financing, providing seniors with another way of covering their 6-month check-ups.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, is a common condition, but one that can be avoided. Many people think that it’s normal or not a big deal if their gums bleed when they brush their teeth, but this is actually a sign of disease and a warning about their oral hygiene.

People should only use soft-bristled toothbrushes to brush their teeth. Hard bristles can bruise their gums. However, gingivitis is caused by excessive bacterial growth in the gum pockets. In the space between the gum and the tooth root, bacteria grow naturally as part of the oral ecosystem, but their numbers can increase too much when they have large amounts of food debris available. Bacteria produce acid, which sticks to plaque and irritates the surrounding gum tissue. As plaque builds up, tartar forms at the gum line around the tooth.

Patients can reduce plaque and tartar build-up by brushing regularly, but they cannot remove material from their gum pockets. Regular deep cleanings are necessary for preventing gingivitis. Even then, some people are particularly at risk. Those groups include pregnant women, people with dry mouth or who are on blood thinner medications, and smokers.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

How to Clean Dentures

Getting dentures is a step in patients’ lifelong journey of oral care which requires them to make some changes in their hygiene habits. The changes are not difficult, but they are important, so we wanted to provide some guidance.

Any denture that is removable needs to be taken out on a nightly basis, regardless of whether it is supported by implants. But the denture must not be allowed to dry out, either. Because heat can warp it, a denture needs to be kept in room-temperature water or cleaning solution. It is wise to hold the denture over a towel while transferring it between the mouth and its container because if it does break or bend, it should only be fixed by a professional.

Dentures do not have the protective membranes of natural teeth and can be scratched by the minerals in ordinary toothpaste. The American Dental Association recommends specialty toothpastes for use on dentures, and patients should only brush them with a brush that has soft bristles (although this is true of their natural teeth, as well). The entire denture should be brushed, not just the parts which look like teeth. Patients should also brush their gums before putting their dentures back in to stimulate blood flow and prevent oral infections.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common contributory factors to tooth decay and other oral health problems. We at Dr. Lis Bradly’s office want our patients to understand how this condition puts them at risk for infections as well as some steps they can take to prevent it.

Scientifically known as xerostomia, dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. This is a problem because saliva helps clean the mouth of food debris and makes it easier to swallow. Without it, bacteria are able to multiply more quickly. Saliva also helps to prevent acid from eroding tooth enamel and allows patients to get more comfortable sleep, improving their immune function.

Usually, dry mouth occurs in older people, but this is because it is a common medication side-effect. Sjögren’s disease, which is most common in older women, is another common cause. Some ways of ameliorating dry mouth are to artificially stimulate additional saliva and to avoid consuming things which dry the mouth out further. Sugary and caffeinated drinks are taxing on the salivary glands, as are alcohol and spicy food. Sugar-free gum is a good way of getting saliva flowing, and fluoride treatments bolster teeth’s resistance to decay.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.

 

How to Floss Properly

During your routine cleaning, if Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS is telling you that you need to floss more, well then you better start listening to her.  Flossing has many benefits, such as removing food particles from your teeth that can cause bad breath and periodontal disease. However, like brushing your teeth, there is a correct way to floss. Instead of flossing as if you’re in a rush, next time you’re in front of the sink, try utilizing this technique.

The correct flossing technique goes something like this:

• Wind 18 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one-to-two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.


• Keep a one-to-two-inch length of floss controlled between fingers. Use index fingers to glide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.


• Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion and be sure to contour floss around the side of the tooth.

If you have questions or concerns about preventive oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

The Proper Toothbrush Technique

Many of us have been brushing our teeth for as long as we can remember, but did you know that there are a right way and a wrong way to brush your teeth? If you aren’t brushing for at least two minutes, twice a day, then your oral hygiene routine may need a little bit of work. Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS is more than happy to give you a lesson in home oral care, but until your next appointment, she’d like to advise that you implement the proper toothbrush technique.

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against the gums.


• Move the brush back and forth in a circular motion in short (tooth-wide) strokes.


• Brush the outer tooth surfaces, the inner tooth surfaces, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.


• Use the tip of the brush to clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, using a gentle up-and-down stroke.


• Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

If you have questions or concerns about preventive oral care, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.lisbradleydds.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lis Bradley, DDS in Brentwood, TN, call 615-778-0810.

Beware of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

At Dr. Bradley’s Brentwood practice, we’re dedicated to educating our patients about the importance of preventive care. First-time parents of young children are often eager to learn all they can about how to maintain their children’s oral health, and one of the main things they need to watch out for is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Dentists use the term Baby Bottle Tooth Decay to describe a pattern of tooth decay on the fronts of babies’ incisors. It is caused by prolonged exposure to sugar. While many people understand that sugar increases the risk of tooth decay and avoid giving babies sugary drinks such as juice because of this, small amounts of sugar can also be dangerous if they are allowed to stick to the teeth for a long time. Babies often are given bottles of milk or formula to drink from for hours, during which they’re not drinking water, and their teeth remain covered in sugar as a result.

Caregivers should take away milk bottles after about fifteen minutes and make sure babies have plenty of water to rinse their mouths with. Dentists and nutritionists agree that it is best for children to transfer to cups around the time of their first birthday, and only after that should they be given drinks with higher amounts of sugar.

Lis Bradley, DDS, operates at 8112 Isabella Ln, Suite 101, Brentwood, Tennessee. To schedule an appointment, visit LisBradleyDDS.com or call 615-778-0810.