The American Dental Association's (ADA) eighth annual Give Kids a Smile program is this Friday, February 5, 2010. The Give Kids a Smile event, to be held at more than 2,000 locations across the country, will provide an estimated 320,000 children with the essential dental treatments they all deserve, for no cost.

The event has seen its share of criticism, as many people feel that it takes more than just one day a year to address issues such as early childhood decay, that is observed in many of the nation's less fortunate children, as well as the lack regular dental care common with many children, from all walks of life, across the country. However, ADA President Ronald L. Tankersley, D.D.S stressed in a press release about the event that "We all know that a one-day event is not a delivery system and cannot solve the ongoing problem of untreated dental disease" adding, "It is important that policymakers at the federal and state level strengthen dental provisions in public health programs to help put children on the road to good oral health."

If you are searching for a Give kids a Smile event in your area, the ADA had a handy search tool for you locate an event in your area. You can also refer to this State-By-State Dental Association list and contact your State's dental association for more information.

Remembering Deamonte

My first experience with Give Kids a Smile as your Guide to Dentistry introduced me to the touching story of a young man named Deamonte Driver. I want to re-share his story with you, in the hopes of preventing this from happening to another child.

On February 25, 2007 a then 12 year old Deamonte Driver from Prince George's County, Md, died from a brain infection. The bacteria from an untreated abscessed molar invaded the child's brain, ultimately causing his unnecessary death. Reports suggest the Mother of the homeless boy had been unsuccessful in locating a dentist that would treat Deamonte, because his Medicade coverage lapsed. Dental organizations across the country suggest that a simple $80.00 procedure may have prevented his untimely death. Determined to prevent another tragedy similar to that of Deamonte Driver, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) introduced H.R. 462, the Medicaid-SCHIP Dental Benefits Improvement Act of 2009 to improve children's access to dental care, on January 13, 2009. Congressman Cummings states, in a press release, "Deamonte's death exposed a huge chasm in our nation's health coverage for children, and this legislation is critical in ensuring that we bring life from this young man's death," adding "There is no excuse for what happened to Deamonte Driver, and the fault lies with every single one of us for letting him slip through the cracks," and "It is critical that we move forward and enact these common sense proposals to establish a safety net to catch all of the other Deamontes out there."

According to their website, The Deamonte Driver Dental Project was was established to provide "grassroots solutions to a children's' dental health crisis." For more information on the project, visit their website, and learn how you can help.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here, and I'm sure everyone is preparing for not only the game, but the food that goes with watching the most anticipated sporting event of the year. Watching the Super Bowl is synonymous with eating traditional favorites such as chili, chips, sandwiches, pizza; the list goes on and on. I'm pretty sure the last thing on your mind will be the health of your teeth, while you are consuming these tasty treats, but if you are looking for something healthier for your teeth, Dr. Thomas Connelly, a New York City cosmetic dentist, offers his suggestions for a healthier Super Bowl Sunday feast.

• Turkey Sandwich vs. Salami Sandwich - turkey will actually add needed minerals to your tooth enamel. Acid produced by bacteria damages the minerals originally found in your teeth.
• Sweet Potato Fries vs. Regular Fries-- These root vegetables are rich in nutrients and vitamins B and C, which are great for oral health. Also, potatoes don't stick to your teeth like other starch-laden foods, which serve as a breeding ground for oral bacteria
• Popcorn vs. Potato Chips- Eating popcorn stimulates your gums and helps clean your teeth.
• Chocolate with nuts vs. Other Candy-- fats in nuts absorb so much acid that they actually help prevent cavities. Chocolate has fat that just soaks up acids, and there's an antibacterial agent in cocoa that prevents plaque.

Remember to brush and floss after eating any for these tasty treats, and have a great time this weekend... GO SAINTS!

If you are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant in the future, or know someone that fits into either category, PAY ATTENTION, because this information could save a life.

Researcher Yiping Han, from the department of periodontilogy at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine has reported the first documented case of a stillbirth caused by an oral bacteria. The 35 year old mother suffered from pregnancy gingivitis. At 39 weeks, five days - which is considered to be full term - the mother sadly delivered her stillborn baby.

An autopsy was preformed which revealed the presence of F. nucleatum - an oral bacteria - in the lungs and stomach of the infant. The baby had died from a septic infection and inflammation caused by bacteria. The mother told Han that she suffered from excessive gum bleeding, known as pregnancy induced gingivitis, during her pregnancy. When the gums bleed, bacteria in the mouth is able to get into he blood stream. According to a press release from the university, Han says normally a mother's immune system takes care of the bacteria in the blood before it reaches the placenta. But in this case, the mother also experienced an upper respiratory infection like a cold and low-grade fever just a few days before the stillbirth. Han suspects that the bacteria entered the amniotic fluid, where the baby was able to ingest the bacteria.

How can this be prevented? The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry created some very easily attainable Oral Health Guidelines for Pregnant Women. One of the biggest misconceptions related to dentistry and pregnancy is this idea that dental care during pregnancy will harm your unborn baby. For years, experts have insisted that expectant mothers have the health of their teeth and gums examined and monitored during their pregnancy.
Preterm birth has been connected to gum disease in the past. Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill teamed up in 2009, for one of the largest randomized trial to date, to study how the treatment of gum disease during pregnancy would effect the apparent link between preterm birth and the disease. The researchers found that the treatment of gum disease during pregnancy did not reduce the rate of preterm birth, suggesting that gum disease, especially advanced periodontal disease, should be controlled before a woman becomes pregnant. The American Academy of Periodontology responded to Duke's findings by releasing a statement that insisted pregnant woman continue with their dental treatment throughout their pregnancy.

Most women make lifestyle changes before the become pregnant, in an effort to deliver a healthy baby. Now, more than ever, making sure that you are free from gum disease before you become pregnant, and during your pregnancy, should become a priority for every woman considering having a baby. If you have questions or concerns about how your gum disease could be affecting the health of your baby, please speak with your dentist or physician. If you experience excessive bleeding of the gums during your pregnancy, do not hesitate, and contact your dentist for an appointment.

Emphasizing her findings, Han really drives it home by stating: "There is an old wives' tale that you lose a tooth for each baby, and this is due to the underlying changes during pregnancy, but if there is another underlying condition in the background, then you may lose more than a tooth but a baby."

Charlie Sheen's wife Brooke Mueller, was rushed to the ICU of a Sherman Oaks, California hospital after an infection, apparently caused by her recent emergency oral surgery to remove an impacted wisdom tooth, started to spread. Mueller was admitted with a 105-degree fever. Her lawyer, Yale Galanter, told PEOPLE Magazine "Brooke is in the hospital ICU related to the surgery for her impacted wisdom tooth," adding "They are trying to get the infection and fever under control. The infection has spread."

Wisdom teeth extraction isn't a favorite procedure among dental patients. Chances are, you know someone that has had a "horrific" experience during and after their wisdom teeth surgery. Hearing about Brooks Mueller's complications after her oral surgery made me think about how this story will affect your decision to have your wisdom teeth removed. Are infections normal after wisdom teeth surgery? Not usually, in fact the most serious complication I have witnessed someone experience after wisdom teeth surgery is a complication known as a dry socket. That being said, the instructions your dentist gives you to follow before your oral surgery, after your oral surgery MUST be followed to a T, in order to avoid mild to serious complications during your recovery process. If you are concerned about your upcoming wisdom teeth surgery, please don't hesitate to discuss them with your dentist. Brooke Mueller's experience is rare, and considering the fact that exact details about her complication have been completely overshadowed by the gossip surrounding her turmoil with her husband Charlie Sheen, we may never know exactly why her infection spread.

If you have had your wisdom teeth removed, share your experience with my readers, by answering the question: Was Your Wisdom Teeth Removal No Big Deal or a Complete Nightmare?