Forensic Dentistry

n. 

The application of dentistry to legal problems, as in using teeth to identify the dead. 


Teeth are highly resistant to destruction and decomposition after death. In order to identify remains, forensic dentists establish a dental profile to narrow down the possible identity of the victim. 

Observations of the deceased's dental records, impressions, and bite marks give the forensic dentist a profile to work with. This profile includes:

• age
• ancestry background
• sex
• socio-economic status
• occupation 
• dietary habits
• habitual behaviors 
• dental/systemic diseases

Once enough matches are established the forensic dentist can make a positive ID. If more information is needed, in some cases, DNA can be extracted from the pulp chamber of the teeth and compared to the possible victims DNA. This DNA can be extracted from a toothbrush or hair brush.

Forensic dentistry can also be used to identify a suspect in a criminal case. There have been many documented trials that have used the bite marks left on victims to match with the bite marks of a suspect. One famous case where this was applied was the trial of Ted Bundy. His severely misaligned teeth were compared to a bite mark left on the buttocks of one of his victims. 

Forensic dentistry has been used by archaeologists and anthropologists to identify certain cultural and historical evidence from ancient human mummies and remains. At one point a CT-scan was performed on the mummy of King Tut in order to determine his cause of death. It was discovered that the scan of his skull showed extremely impacted wisdom teeth. Suggesting infection and an abcess could have contributed to the young king's demise. 

Anthropologists can determine from a human's remains what his or her occupation could have been. The remains found could show that the person was a tailor or seamstress, for example, by the tiny fissure cracks in their front teeth. These are caused when the person would hold the sewing needles in their mouths by their teeth. 

Diets and diseases are documented after analysis of teeth and surrounding bone structures. It has been noted that prehistoric humans who were mainly hunter and gatherers showed significantly less tooth decay and signs of periodontal diseases. These two dental issues exploded after humans became a more agricultural species and fermentable carbohydrates dominated the diet. 

Forensic dentistry is a fascinating dental specialization that isn't only applied to modern day human identification but on humans who were alive more than 3,000 years ago! 

Sources: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1771750-overview

http://www.forensic-dentistry.info/wp/?page_id=4

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/03/0308_050308_kingtutmurder_2.html

http://www.forensic.to/webhome/bitemarks1/

Grub (That's good for your teeth!)

It's been drilled (no pun intended!) into us that there are certain foods that are downright dangerous for our teeth. You mention that you enjoy the occasional handful of gummy bears and people gasp and wag their finger at you, "Don't you know they're bad for your teeth?!" 

But today we're going to mention foods that are actually beneficial for our teeth. 

Detersive foods. 

Crunchy or hard foods that "brush" debris off of teeth while being chewed. 

Examples: 

lettuce
raw vegetables
carrots
apples 

These foods have very little sugar (if any) and when raw act as a toothbrush would; lightly massaging gums and brushing teeth surfaces. 

Antibacterial foods.

Some foods have certain chemicals and minerals that kill certain bacteria in your mouth that can be harmful. 

Examples: 

onions

garlic 

Onions and garlic contain sulfur (odor causing, eye tearing sulfur!) which has impressive antibiotic capabilities. 

Maintenance foods. 

Your teeth have got it rough sometimes. They have to bite, chew, and grind your food and be the vessel for your bottled-up stress. So they need a little repair every once in a while. Here are some foods that provide the minerals needed for enamel rejuvenation.

Examples: 

tea

dairy products

vegetables 

sesame seeds

protein high foods

Tea contains fluoride which strengthens enamel. Dairy products, protein high foods, and sesame seeds are all calcium-rich foods which promote strong enamel formation. Vegetables containing vitamin A form healthy tooth enamel in children. 

So, eating a diet rich in these food groups paired with proper at-home oral care and regular dental cleanings should give you significantly less dental problems and a beautiful smile! 

[source: http://www.dental.net/dental-nutrition/foods-good-for-teeth ]

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Syndrome

Sounds a little ridiculous, doesn't it? But this is actually a very serious condition that affects more babies than you think. 

Here's the 

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, & HOW  

of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Syndrome. 

WHO is affected by Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Syndrome?

Babies whose primary (baby) teeth have started to come in are the most common sufferers of this condition but it can extend to older children.

WHAT causes it? 

Primarily sugary drinks that are given to babies in their bottles. These drinks include: 

• milk 
• juice 
• sodas
• formulas 
• etc...

WHEN does Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Syndrome occur? 

Babies are at risk for this condition when they are put to bed with a bottle or sippy cup that contains any of the drinks listed above and their teeth are not immediately cleaned. 

WHERE does the decay happen?

The upper front teeth are the ones that are the most affected but children's back teeth are also at risk. 

WHY does this condition happen? 

Adults sometimes think that because children's teeth are just temporary they don't need the same care as permanent adult teeth. So parents don't clean or make sure that their children's teeth are getting the required care. 

Baby teeth are just as susceptible to decay and other dental problems as adult teeth! When sugary fluids are allowed to sit on children's teeth the bacteria in their mouths feed on it and cause decay. (As they do with adult teeth!) 

HOW can Baby Bottle Tooth Decay be prevented? 

1. Never allow your child to go to sleep after drinking a sugary (this includes milk and formulas!) drink without cleaning their teeth first! 
2. If you need to put your child to bed with a bottle only put water in it! 
3. Always brush and clean your child's teeth until they are capable of doing it themselves. 
4. Take your child to their regular dental cleanings! 

If you would like to schedule you or your child for a dental check-up please call our office.

215.567.4949

Please check out our website!

pjmouradiandmd.com

Source: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/baby-bottle-tooth-decay.aspx 

Photo Source: http://www.oralhealthnet.co.uk/detail/45/bottle-caries-kids/

Kids & The Dentist

September is Baby Safety Month so we wanted to dedicate the first week of September to issues and facts about Pediatric Dentistry.

Preventative Pediatric Dentistry

Good oral health practices should be instilled into children early! Here are a couple of steps to make it easier... 

Taking them to see a dentist. 

Many parents have asked us, "When should I start bringing my son/daughter to the dentist?" 

We always respond: "As soon as possible!" 

Even if your child does not have any teeth, bringing them in when you have an appointment allows them to become comfortable with the office, doctor and staff. 

Children learn by example, so seeing their parents (bravely) getting their teeth cleaned regularly will encourage them to be less apprehensive when it's time to get their teeth cleaned. 

At-home oral care.

Cleaning your child's mouth should be done every morning and every night before bedtime. 

Also, don't think you have to wait until their baby teeth start coming in! Take a clean, wet washcloth and rub your baby's gums to acclimate their mouth to cleaning. 

Once they have their baby teeth in begin brushing them with a child's toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of children's toothpaste. 

So remember, begin teaching proper oral care early and make sure that they see a dentist! 

If you would like to make an appointment please call our office at 

215.567.4949

Also, check out our website for office and other dental information!

pjmouradiandmd.com