7 New Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

7 New Tips to Prevent Gum Disease

To avoid gum disease, a solid oral care regime is imperative – brush twice a day, floss at night, and use mouthwash. This is the familiar refrain, so let’s step away from that simple 3-step plan and look at other ways to prevent gum disease.

Gingivitis and its advanced cousin, Periodontal disease, are silent offenders. Most often, you may not even know you should be concerned. After all, the serious problems take place beneath your gum line where you can’t see them.

What’s worse is that a growing number of scientists believe that plaque and gum disease can also influence and exacerbate conditions like heart disease and stroke – certainly conditions we do not want to encourage by a lack of attention to good oral hygiene.

So with no further ado, here are seven easy things you can do to help protect your mouth from gum disease.

1. Eat More Chicken! This is more than just a prominent fast food slogan. Consuming more chicken, as well as other meats, cheeses, nuts, and milk does a body good.

All are believed to provide your teeth with calcium and phosphorous needed to remineralize enamel after it’s been bombarded by the acids that cause tooth decay.

2. Eat more Veggies! Everyone knows we need more vegetables in our diets. Our waistlines and our teeth love them for their water content, as well as their vitamin and mineral profiles. There’s no doubt about it, veggies are good for you.

Not a big fan? Incorporate them into soups, or in a great fruit smoothie … you won’t notice the difference, but your teeth and gums will.

3. Use an anti-microbial mouthwash: The key here is using a mouthwash that is anti-microbial. Find one you’ll actually use every day, and use it once in the morning after brushing, and again after brushing before bed.

Try to find one that’s low in alcohol or without it altogether, as alcohol dries out your mouth and can contribute to tooth decay. More saliva equals better oral health.

4. Try a toothbrush that moves: Get adventurous and test out an electronic toothbrush that’s been endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA).

These toothbrushes are more effective than you’ll ever be at removing plaque and bacteria, and will protect your gums from aggressive brushing.

5. Chew Gum! Keep that saliva flow going after a meal with sugar-free gum that contains Xylitol — a natural sweetener derived from plants. It doesn’t break down like sugar, and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth.

If you want to avoid Aspartame in your Xylitol chewing gum, search online or ask your dentist. It’s difficult to find gum without Aspartame these days, but such a product does exist.

6. Get Braces! That’s right, getting braces can help protect you from gum disease.

Crooked teeth are great enablers of tooth decay, which can lead to gum disease by allowing bacteria and plaque to colonize in the areas where your teeth are not aligned.

Getting your teeth aligned eliminates these hideouts where your toothbrush cannot reach, all while straightening your smile at the same time.

7. Quit Smoking! This one is always worth mentioning. Smoking is always bad for your body, your gums, and your teeth.

Helping Your Child with Special Needs Visit the Dentist

Helping Your Child with Special Needs Visit the Dentist

If you’re the parent of a child with special needs, you know some things like a dental visit can be challenging. Depending on your child’s needs, there are a few things you can do to make their visit go more smoothly.

Prepare Your Child for Their Visit

There are lots of things that you can do to help your child know what to expect during their visit.

You can look at the dentist’s website together and look at staff pictures to familiarize your child with who they will meet. You can watch videos of a dental office visit. You can drive by the dental office to show your child where they will be going. You can even play with dental toys at home to help your child get comfortable with what happens at the dentist.

Most importantly, speak positively about dental visits to reduce fear and anxiety.

Communicate with Your Dental Team

You know your child better than anyone, so the best thing you can do is communicate with your dental team about any accommodations that will help during the visit.

For instance, you can ask for dimmed lights, a longer appointment time, for staff to speak in hushed tones, sedation options, and so on.

If applicable, ask about wheelchair access in the parking lot and office prior to your appointment.

Also, it may be helpful for your child to see the same hygienist and dentist each time to reduce anxiety about meeting new people. This is especially helpful for children on the autism spectrum.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home

We know this is easier said than done for everyone. The sooner you start, however, the better.

Try to make the process of flossing and brushing as fun and low-pressure as possible. If your child has reached their limits, feel free to stop and pick up again later.

A great idea for brushing is to introduce your child to an electric toothbrush. This way, they get used to all the sensory input involved (sound of equipment, feel of vibration, taste of toothpaste).

Your dental team is there to make sure your dental visit goes smoothly. Don’t be bashful about communicating your needs!

7 Oral Health Concerns for Those Over 50

7 Oral Health Concerns for Those Over 50

When they say, “age is all in your head,” they’re probably right. But then again, your teeth are in your head, so you likely can’t escape having to pay a little more attention to them after 50.

Although some oral health concerns are fairly common at that age, if you adopt a proactive mindset and educate yourself, these concerns do not have to be common for you.

Anticipating and recognizing changes in your mouth can help you be on top of your health in this area, so let’s take a look at the main ones you have to watch out for.

1. Dry Mouth: The most common oral health concern you’re likely to experience as you age is dry mouth.

In the medical world, dry mouth goes by the name Xerostomia, and can be brought on by many contributing factors, including the over-consumption of beverages like coffee and alcohol, as well as the frequent consumption of salty foods.

Another big offender is the medication we take to treat various illnesses. The list of offenders isn’t a short one, either – there are at least 400 medications that can contribute to Xerostomia, including medications for high blood pressure and depression.

2. Ill-fitting Dentures: First off, it’s important to note dentures aren’t always needed as we age. Today, healthier living and better access to dental care have reduced the percentage of seniors wearing dentures to 27% from nearly 50% just a few decades ago.

That said, if you or a loved one wear dentures, it’s critical that they fit properly. Dentures that cause pain or shift in the mouth tend to alter a person’s eating habits, which can lead to nutrition deficits if healthy, but hard to chew, foods are avoided.

Ill-fitting dentures can also cause thrush, which could lead to you having a rash inside of your mouth.

3. Physical Obstacles to Good Oral Care: As we age, we sometimes find ourselves having physical ailments that may limit our desire to maintain good oral care. Arthritis, vision loss, or injuries are a few of the most common.

To combat these concerns, using a floss pick to get between teeth can be helpful. The regular use of oral rinses can assist in dislodging difficult to remove food debris, while adding to the overall health of one’s mouth and gum tissue.

Here’s how to choose the best mouth rinse for your needs!

4. Naturally Receding Gums: “Long in the tooth” isn’t just a quaint expression about gaining wisdom with age – it also refers to how our teeth appear to “lengthen” as we grow older. In other words, it’s a fancy way of saying our gums are receding.

While some degree of gum recession is indeed natural, this predisposes us to cavities along the root structure of the tooth where enamel doesn’t exist. So, as one ages, flossing, brushing and rinses are more important than ever.

5. Gum Disease: Natural gum recession is one thing, a part of growing up if you will. Gum disease, however, is preventable. Each of the above items in this list can contribute to gum disease, and good oral care can prevent it.

Failing to do so can lead to a need for dentures at its most extreme, and pain and swollen gums at its least. We’d prefer you experienced neither concern!

6. Tooth Loss: If a tooth is lost due to trauma or decay, and not replaced with an implant or other prosthetic, it can have serious complications for the health of the jawbone.

Teeth can shift out of place and fall out, and bone tissue can be resorbed back into the body. Not a good thing.

7. Loss of Insurance Coverage: Retirees without dental coverage can sometimes cover the expenses of dental care on their own; sometimes they cannot. But a lack of funds to take care of one’s teeth can be devastating to the health of our mouths, and our overall health.

We need to plan for two things: a care routine that allows us to take care of our teeth as much as humanly possible, and some sort of financial backup plan for when problems do arise.

Visiting the Dentist While Pregnant: What to Know

Visiting the Dentist While Pregnant: What to Know

Pregnant mamas have a lot on their plate. Between doctor visits, preparing for little one’s arrival, and managing pregnancy symptoms, scheduling a routine dental visit may not seem like a priority. Plus – you might be concerned about whether it’s safe to visit the dentist.

Well, we’re here to tell you – it’s not only safe but an important part of your prenatal care! We’ve put together a quick Q&A regarding visiting the dentist while pregnant.

How does pregnancy affect my mouth?

Due to pregnancy hormones, you may experience pregnancy gingivitis, which can cause gum sensitivity and bleeding while brushing or flossing.

In most cases, this is normal. However, it’s best to consult your dentist since periodontal disease can cause pre-term birth or low birth weight. If your dentist finds you do have periodontal disease, it is safe to receive scaling and root planing during pregnancy.

Depending on how your eating or dental routine habits have changed, your teeth may be affected. Increased consumption of carbohydrates, or increased acid in the mouth from vomiting due to nausea, will put your teeth at a higher risk for decay.

Some women will also experience “pregnancy tumors,” which are benign growths of tissue along the gums that may be related to excess plaque. Your dentist will be able to diagnose what’s normal or what’s not during your exam.

Is a routine dental visit any different during pregnancy?

Nope! According to the American Dental Association, it is safe to get your teeth cleaned and examined, and to receive any necessary x-rays that you normally would during a routine visit.

Make sure to let your dental team know you are pregnant. If you are not experiencing any dental problems, and would feel better receiving x-rays after pregnancy, simply let your dental team know your preference.

Can I get dental work done while pregnant?

In most cases, yes. Most necessary procedures can be performed during pregnancy. It is especially important to take care of any pain or major dental issues, as the risk of infection of leaving dental work undone can affect your overall health and that of baby.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy or have certain medical conditions, your physician and dentist may decide to postpone treatment until after pregnancy.

Can I use local anesthesia and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) while pregnant?

Low doses of local anesthesia are generally safe enough to make you feel comfortable during the procedure. The use of nitrous oxide during pregnancy is generally not recommended, as it is a “Category C” medication, meaning that there is a risk to your baby.

Can I get my teeth whitened during pregnancy?

Having elective procedures such as teeth whitening and starting orthodontic care are not recommended during pregnancy. This includes using at-home teeth whitening products.
What are the risks of not visiting the dentist while pregnant?

The health of your mouth affects the health of your body at all times, not just during pregnancy. An infection in your mouth not only puts stress on your body from the pain, but may spread to the rest of your body as well.

Periodontal disease or an infection may result in low birth weight, premature birth, or even preeclampsia, a rare but life-threatening condition.

So, if you’ve been putting off making that call to the dentist, put it off no longer! Go in, get those pearly whites cleaned and examined, and check it off your to-do list!

Is Vaping Bad for My Teeth?

Is Vaping Bad for My Teeth?

We all know tobacco products are bad for our oral health. From bad breath to gum disease and oral cancer, the science is pretty clear about its effects.

For those who choose to use e-cigarettes or “vapes,” you might assume you’re making a healthier choice over traditional tobacco products, like cigarettes. That’s partially true, since there are far fewer hazardous substances in vapes.

However, you’re never going to get the green light from your dentist to use them. Here’s why:

What Is Vaping?

Vapes, or vaporizers, are products that use battery power to heat a liquid to create a vapor, which you inhale. The liquid contains a base such as propylene glycol (used in a wide variety of household items, from hand sanitizer to cosmetics and other food products), a mix of flavorings, and usually nicotine. Vapes can also be used with marijuana.

If you’ve moved from tobacco products to solely vapes or e-cigarettes, you’ve taken a step in the right direction. In the world of public health, this is called “harm reduction.” That means that if you’re going to smoke, you might as well choose the less bad option.

But the health effects of even the “less bad” option can still do some major harm.

How Vaping Affects Your Mouth

  • Reduces blood flow to tissues in your mouth. Most vapes deliver nicotine to your mouth and lungs. You can choose the quantity of nicotine in the liquid (“juice”) you use, but any amount of nicotine is addictive. Nicotine reduces blood flow, which restricts the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues in your mouth. This means that your mouth will be slower to heal any trauma, tooth decay, or infections in your gums.
  • Reduces ability of gum tissue to repair itself. Gingival fibroblasts, special types of cells in our gum tissue, are constantly at work repairing and replacing tissue. Nicotine has been shown to reduce the ability of these cells to do this important work.
  • Increases amount of inflammatory proteins. A recent study showed that the flavorings in vapes can cause higher levels of inflammatory proteins in gum tissue. Such proteins are created when our bodies sense something is not right. We have higher levels when we are sick with a cold, for instance. Elevated levels mean the body is stressed. Chronically elevated levels of inflammatory proteins have been associated with Alzheimer’sdepression, and heart disease.

During Your Next Visit

Next time you’re at the dentist, ask if your exam reveals any issues that may be related to vape use, such as receding gums, ongoing infections, or tooth loss.

The more you vape, the more physical consequences you’ll see. If you want to reduce the damage, but can’t give up vaping, then do it less often and choose lower amounts of nicotine in the juice you use. But if you’re looking to attain the healthiest and brightest smile of all your friends, your best bet is to give it up altogether. And save some money 😉

Yellow, Brown, or Dead—Will They Whiten?

Yellow, Brown, or Dead—Will They Whiten?

When it comes to teeth whitening, it’s important for you to understand the causes behind discoloration or staining so you and your dentist can choose the whitening treatment that will provide the best results.

What causes tooth discoloration and staining?

There are a lot of reasons why teeth are not as white as we would like them to be. One factor is simply heredity.

Everyone’s dentin (the layer of your teeth below the enamel) is a unique shade of either yellow or blue/grey. This is normal and varies from person to person. The thickness of a person’s enamel—based on genetics—affects how much of this natural yellow or blue/grey dentin shows through. As people age, the enamel also thins, showing more of the dentin.

Other factors that add to discoloration or staining are:

  • Food and beverages, such as wine, coffee, and tea
  • Medication such as tetracycline
  • Tobacco use
  • Trauma to the tooth

Can all stains be whitened, and how long does it take?

The great news is that, yes, most stains—even those caused by medication—can be dramatically improved. However, different stains require different treatment times.

The natural yellow and blue/grey tooth shades will whiten faster than a tooth with added stains from medication, tobacco, and food. Teeth with a natural yellow shade will generally whiten in about 1–2 weeks, whereas teeth with a blue/grey shade can take twice as long. Teeth that have been stained by tobacco use can generally take 1–3 months to whiten, and teeth that have been stained by medications can take anywhere from 2–6 months, based on how severe the staining is. Non-vital, or dead, teeth will respond to whitening well; however, it is important to talk to your dentist about whitening non-vital teeth, as this should be done before whitening the rest of the teeth in order to avoid a difference in shade.