Tooth Erosion: The Harmful Effects of Acid Tooth erosion is caused by acid. Drive home that point to your patients with this ADA resource. • Includes clinical images of the effects of acid erosion on teeth and an infographic showing the level of acidity of some common beverages • Explains the effects of acid on teeth and some tips to prevent erosion from happening • Offers specific ways to manage the effects of erosion and keep it from getting worse W30120 8 panels, 50 per pack Tooth Decay This ADA brochure answers common questions about tooth decay and cavities. • Uses easy-to-understand language and images • Details the signs, symptoms, treatments and prevention of tooth decay • Features illustrations of the progress of decay, showing that even though patients may not notice signs on their own, decay can still form W30320 8 panels, 50 per pack PERSONALIZE IT! DAB078 sion ffects of acid alth Acid reflux can wear your enamel away and create pits that look like “moon craters” on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This is also called “cupping.” What is tooth erosion? Enamel (e-NAM-ul) is the hardest outside layer of your tooth that protects a softer inner layer. Tooth erosion (ee-ROW-zhun) happens when the enamel begins to wear away, exposing the inner layer of the tooth, called dentin. When the enamel thins out, your tooth protection is weakened and the inside layers can be exposed to more acid and bacteria. This puts you at a greater risk of having problems like sensitive teeth, decay and cavities. Acid causes tooth erosion Tooth erosion happens from several causes that have one thing in common — acid. If your teeth come in contact with acid on a regular basis, the acid can attack your tooth enamel and start to cause erosion. There are many ways that acid can reach your teeth, such as: • Drinking beverages that have high levels of acid. This includes sodas, fruit juices, sports drinks and energy drinks. • Acid reflux/GERD. Acid reflux happens when acids from your stomach travel up your throat and into your mouth. Heartburn is how people sometimes describe acid reflux. If you have heartburn most days or nights, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD. This acid from your stomach can cause erosion on the inside surfaces of your teeth. • Frequent vomiting. People with an eating disorder known as bulimia force themselves to vomit frequently (also called purging). Morning sickness during pregnancy also causes vomiting. Vomiting causes stomach acids to come in contact with your teeth. With frequent vomiting, the stomach acid can weaken and wear away your tooth enamel, especially on the upper front teeth. Get help for your eating disorder You aren’t alone. Talk to your dentist or physician about how you can get healthy. Or, call the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline and talk to someone confidentially. 1.800.931.2237. Pricing for Brochures STANDARD BROCHURES PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $30.00 $45.00 2–9 $25.50 $38.25 10+ $22.50 $33.75 PERSONALIZED BROCHURES QTY MEMBER RETAIL 150 $90.00 $135.00 400 $216.00 $324.00 800 $408.00 $616.00 u How to clean your mouth after your tooth is removed Day of procedure: • Do not clean the teeth next to the healing tooth socket for the rest of the day. o You should still brush and floss your other teeth. o You can also brush your tongue. This can help get rid of the bad breath and unpleasant taste that are common after an extraction. Day after procedure: • Begin cleaning the teeth next to the healing tooth socket. • Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water after meals to keep bits of food out of the extraction site. o To make a salt water rinse: mix half a teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. o Try not to rinse your mouth too hard because this could loosen the blood clot. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your dentist whether you should rinse with salt water. o Avoid using a mouthwash during this early healing period or until your dentist tells you when you are able to do so. u Take pain medication only as directed by your dentist • If your dentist has prescribed medicine to control pain and inflammation, or to prevent infection, use it only as directed. • If the pain medication prescribed does not seem to work for you, don’t take more pills or take them more often than directed — call your dentist. u Swelling and pain are normal after a tooth is removed To help reduce swelling and pain: • try applying a cold compress to your face, like an ice pack or a cold, moist cloth • your dentist may give you specific instructions on how long and how often to use a cold compress u Call your dentist right away if you have any of these issues • fever, nausea, or vomiting • ongoing or severe pain, swelling, or bleeding • pain that gets worse with time instead of better If you cannot reach your dentist, go to a hospital emergency room. u Eating and drinking Day of procedure: • Drink lots of liquids and eat soft, nutritious foods. • Avoid hot liquids and alcoholic beverages. • Do not use a straw, as this can disturb the blood clot. Day after procedure: • Begin eating solid foods the next day or as soon as you can chew comfortably. • For the first few days, try to chew food on the side opposite the extraction site. • When it feels comfortable, you should resume chewing on both sides of your mouth. u Other things you should know • Avoid alcoholic beverages or mouthwash that has alcohol in it for 24 hours. • Limit physical activity like exercise or lifting heavy objects for 24 hours after the extraction. This will reduce bleeding and help the blood clot to form. • If you do get a dry socket, report it to your dentist right away. A dressing may be placed in the socket to protect it until the socket heals and to reduce any pain. Do not disturb the blood clot that forms in the tooth socket! The blood clot that forms in the tooth socket is an important part of the normal healing process. You should avoid doing things that might disturb the clot. If the blood clot is disturbed and breaks down, you can get a dry socket. Dry sockets can be extremely painful. To lower your risk of a dry socket, be very careful to not do anything that can disturb the clot. For the first 24 hours, do not suck, spit, slurp, or any other action that creates suction in your mouth and puts pressure on your blood clot. This means: • Do not drink through a straw • Do not smoke (smoking can also prevent your gums from healing properly) • Do not suck on candy, popsicles, lollipops, etc. • Do not slurp up soups or other liquids • Do not rinse your mouth with too much force + 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup warm water TALK TO YOUR DENTIST BEST SELLER Tooth Extraction: Post-Operative Instructions Every extraction patient should have this handy brochure. • Provides general guidelines and post-operative instructions for wisdom tooth extractions • Gives tips to promote healing, prevent complications and make the experience more comfortable • Covers what abnormalities to watch for LANGUAGES AVAILABLE W119 English, 8 panels, 50 per pack W243 Spanish W310 Chinese PERSONALIZE IT! DAB008 Your Wisdom Teeth This practical brochure explains what wisdom teeth are and details reasons they might need to be removed. • Lists potential problems caused by wisdom teeth—reinforced by x-rays of horizontal and angular impaction • Addresses pain management, suggesting acetaminophen and ibuprofen instead of prescription medication • Describes what to expect before and after surgery W127 6 panels, 50 per pack PERSONALIZE IT! DAB010 Compact yet full of knowledge, these brochures are a win-win for you and your patients. ORDER BY PHONE: 800.947.4746 76 77 ORDER ONLINE: ADASTORE.ORG PATIENT EDUCATION RESTORATIVE TREATMENT | EXTRACTIONS