Nobody is perfect. If you choose to smoke, drink carbonated beverages, suck on limes or lemons, drink high-sugar fluids, eat a diet of excess sugar and candy, chew gum, chew tobacco, pierce your tongue or lips and wear jewelry in these areas, and more… there are negative consequences. Most doctors will go on record sermonizing you to stop these behaviors. Few will discuss other options or help mitigate some of the adverse effects.

For example, SMOKING

Most doctors will preach about the negative consequences of this habit. Most patients have already been beaten up with this approach. If someone is interested in quitting then why not discuss options to help?  A referral to the smoker-enders support group, or clinical psychologist, or hypnotist, or a medical doctor familiar with the medications being used to help can sometimes catalyze an improvement. If someone is not ready to quit but wants to try to minimize the negative effects there are things we can do. Seeing the hygienist for dental cleanings every 2-3 months can help delay the onset of gum disease associated with smoking. Additionally, a specialized home care routine can be instructed and demonstrated to help. Clearly, the risks of pathology and cancer are not minimized but seeing a professional every 2-3 months will at least promote early cancer detection which can save lives. Finally, if a patient does not want to quit or try to minimize the negative consequences, then we can be there with non-judgmental treatment of the future dental emergencies and problems.

Another example, Tongue or lip rings/jewelry

Some of this can damage adjacent teeth and gums. Think of a wrecking ball swinging against a wall to be demolished. Some mouth jewelry can act as a “wrecking ball” for your teeth and gums. Some wearers have not considered this negative possibility. Additionally, the piercing or wound can sometimes become a source of infection. Specific care instructions for the piercing is an appropriate help for confirmed wearers. Additionally, some jewelry is potentially more damaging than others. A heavy metal ball will impact your precious teeth and gums with more damaging force than a smaller plastic item.

Dr. Alan Ross, Keene Family Dental, 67 Mechanic Street, Keene, NH 03431 Phone: 603-357-6767