Dentistry & Oral Health Blog » Oral Health

Getting Your New Year Off to a Healthy Start

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:31:11 +0000

A New Year's resolution is a great opportunity that many people use to establish some health goals for each year. Unfortunately, most of these goals are too lofty and completely overlook oral health. When you consider that many Americans have some form of gum disease, such as bleeding when brushing and flossing and don't do anything about it, you begin to understand that this is one area of oral health where action is necessary — and you need some improvement. Establishing improved oral health goals should start with a thorough dental exam, oral cancer screening, and cleaning. Use this visit to get a refresher course on proper brushing and flossing techniques, sometimes that's all it takes to get your oral health under control. As for going forward throughout the year, here are some basics that every member of your family should adopt: brush at least twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste and floss once daily; limit your intake of sugar, sports drinks, and sodas; eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables; and drink an adequate amount of water. And to ensure that you stick to these goals, ask your dentist for a “report card” at your six-month follow-up cleaning and exam.

Your Oral Health Is, Literally, In Your Hands

admin — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:41:36 +0000

Pretty much everyone knows that brushing at least once a day helps to keep teeth clean and healthy. But your hands wield more power over the condition of your oral health than you might realize, especially if they are holding a piece of dental floss as opposed to a doughnut late at night.

Proper oral hygiene requires a delicate balance between what you do and what you do not do with your hands. For example, using dental floss daily after brushing, by wrapping it around the surface of each tooth and moving it up and down, is a very positive preventative method, and one that should be seamlessly incorporated into your life. Conversely, snacking between meals, and especially late at night, is a very bad behavior that can greatly compromise your oral health. The more times your teeth are exposed to the acid-producing bacteria found in many sugary snacks and those that contain high amounts of refined carbohydrates, the higher your risk for tooth decay will become.

Your hands can also become dangerous weapons if you exert too much force while brushing. Overzealous brushing can cause damage to the gum tissue, causing it to recede.

To learn more about a wide range of oral health topics and the proper way to care for your teeth, please read the following Dear Doctor magazine articles:

It’s Time For Men to Behave More Like Women… Healthwise That Is!

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:33:42 +0000

Attention all men! It has come to our attention that you are less likely than women to take care of your overall health and seem even less concerned about the state of your oral health. You tend to put off visits to the dentist for long periods of time and make an appointment only when a dental problem arises!

Considering the fact that men are more likely to suffer a heart attack combined with the growing research pointing to a link between periodontal disease and heart disease, you men should definitely become more diligent about maintaining good oral health. Going hand in hand with heart disease is the increased amount of heart and blood pressure medication that you will most likely need to take, which in turn can cause dry mouth. Decreased saliva production and dry mouth can then increase your risk for tooth decay.

If you throw in a tobacco habit, the risk for periodontal disease and oral cancer increases. Older Men are affected by oral cancer at twice the rate of women.

While it is just as important for women to exercise and participate in athletic activities, men are more likely to pick “contact” sports like football, dirt biking, soccer, basketball, baseball and even taking a spin on a motorcycle, which have a greater risk for trauma to the mouth and teeth.

So guys, wise up, get smart and call for a dental appointment. Then grab a helmet or a mouth guard and go exercise. It will strengthen your heart, lower your need for medication and improve your overall health.

For a long time of claiming to be the “tougher” sex, it's time for you to become tough about maintaining good oral and general health. Linked together, taking care of your oral health will increase your chances of maintaining good overall health.

The Real Dangers of Snoring

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:05:20 +0000

While snoring maybe something we laugh about in the movies or on TV, in real life it can literally be life threatening. For some people, snoring can develop into Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition in which moments are experienced during sleep when breathing completely stops. When you consider that this may happen more than 50 times an hour during sleep, you can clearly see how destructive this can be to overall health. In fact, the risks of undiagnosed OSA include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and heart disease. On a positive note, there are treatment options that can help. In addition to exercising and losing weight if you are over the normal range, there is more that can be done quite simply.

Did you know that a dentist trained in sleep disorders can play a key role in your treatment? One way is by making an oral appliance, a custom device that is similar to a retainer or sports mouthpiece, that is worn during sleep. To learn more about sleep apnea and your treatment options, discuss them with your dentist during your next routine exam.

Do You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

admin — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:00:29 +0000

Are you a loud, habitual snorer?
Has your sleeping partner ever witnessed you choking, gasping, or holding your breath during sleep?
Do you regularly feel un-refreshed, even after waking from 8 or more hours of sleep?
Do you find yourself falling asleep easily throughout your day at home or at work?
Do you often suffer from poor concentration or judgment, memory loss, irritability, and/or depression?
Are you 15 pounds over the normal weight range for your height and/or does your neck measure more than 17 inches if you are male or 16 inches if you are female?

If the answer to these questions is yes, you may have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The risks of undiagnosed OSA include heart attacks, strokes, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In addition, it can cause daytime sleepiness that results in accidents, lost productivity, depression, and problems in your relationships with others.

Although simple treatment options are available, a proper diagnosis is the first step. While your responses to the above questions do not provide a diagnosis, they will serve as important signs and symptoms your dentist and physician may use to make a diagnosis.

The simple action of discussing these factors with your dentist or physician could save your life!

The 10 Most Important Health Measures of the 20th Century

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:35:36 +0000

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 20th century has produced numerous things that improve the overall health of Americans. Some of these you may know, while others may be a surprise when you first read them...but seem obvious once you think about it. For example, you might guess that fluoridation of drinking water, vaccinations, control of infectious diseases, and recognizing the dangers of tobacco use made the list—but what about family planning, healthier mothers and babies, and safer workplaces? The list is rounded out with motor vehicle safety, safer and healthier foods, and the decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke. But one at the top of the list is fluoride for preventing tooth decay.

Fluoride—Are You Aware Its Everywhere?

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:32:56 +0000

Having the right amount of fluoride in your diet is vital for good oral health. We all typically purchase fluoridated toothpaste and most people are aware that it is added to public water systems as important public health measure so that you get it in your home directly from your faucets. However, did you know that you can find fluoride in a variety of other naturally occurring sources? Or that when manufacturing facilities use fluoridated “tap” water in making their products, that you can find fluoride in their products? Fluoride can be found in energy drinks, fruit juices, and canned goods (notably soups, fish and chicken). You can also find fluoride in soda, wine, and beer!

The Importance of Fluoride and Fluoridation in Dentistry

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:29:13 +0000

Anytime the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues a statement saying that fluoride and fluoridation in dentistry is one of the 10 most important public health measures of the 20th century, you can rest assured there has been exhaustive evidence from years of research backing it up. However, discovering this fact initially was like many other scientific endeavors; it was a reactive versus proactive discovery. In the early 1900s, Dr. Fredrick McKay wondered why his patients in Colorado Springs, CO had brown stains on their teeth but with few to no cavities. After years of investigations, he established that it was due to something in the drinking water. In 1931, H.V. Churchill, a chemist for the Alcoa Company, discovered that when excess fluoride is present in water it stains teeth. That same year, Dr. H. Trendly Dean was studying the harmful effects of fluoride. However, by 1950 he instead discovered that very small amounts of fluoride (0.7 – 1.0 parts per million) in the water supply has large benefits in preventing tooth decay with no or minimal staining.

Thanks to years of additional research, we now know the mechanism of fluoride action—how it works through the saliva to promote and form more acid resistant enamel.

Pregnancy & Oral Health

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:10:43 +0000

Every expectant mother knows that with the excitement of being pregnant comes a multitude of questions. However, when it comes to pregnancy and its relationship to oral health, well, many mothers are unaware of the questions they should be asking. They may not be aware of the link that exists between their oral health and their systemic (general) health and the impact that it can have on a developing child. For example, there is important new information that suggests that parents and their oral health may have significant influence on the development of tooth decay in their children. And with the hormonal changes, namely elevated levels of progesterone, expectant moms are at a higher risk of periodontal (gum) disease during the second to eighth months of pregnancy.

Is Constantly Chewing Gum Harmful?

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:59:04 +0000

Are you one of those people who is known for always chewing gum—at home, work, everywhere? If so, you may have wondered if your habit is causing any long-term damage to your teeth and jaws. Based on what is currently known, there is no real evidence that chewing gum is bad for your jaws. However, depending on the type of gum you are chewing, it may be bad for your teeth. If you chew gum, avoid those packed with sugar and instead select gum that contains Xylitol, a special sugar alcohol that not only tastes sweet but also inhibits the bacteria that cause decay.