Tips For That Healthy Smile
To view a topic that interests you, please click on the link below.
How Dental Pain Can Affect You
Good oral health is extremely important and can affect your overall health. Pain due to untreated dental disease can lead to problems in eating, sleeping, and speaking. Brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time – and floss once a day – make sure to have your teeth checked and cleaned by a dentist twice a year. That’s the best way to ensure that you keep a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile. And remember – you should replace your toothbrush every three months to get the most out of brushing.
Bad Breath
Did you know that persistent bad breath can be an indication of periodontal disease – also known as gum disease? And gum disease is considered the #1 cause of tooth loss today. Why? It attacks the gums and bone that are the foundation for your teeth. In some cases, the bone will dissolve, leaving your teeth with nothing to anchor them. Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar; you can control plaque and tartar with correct hygiene and regular dental check ups.
Wisdom Teeth
Bet you didn’t know that “wisdom teeth” are called that because they usually appear during a person’s late teens and early twenties, which someone, somewhere, at some time in the past dubbed “the age of wisdom”. (There are probably many parents of teenagers who would disagree with that.) Wisdom teeth are the “third molars” and they can be problems because sometimes a person’s jaw is not large enough to accommodate four wisdom teeth. And because of this, they may become impacted, or unable to “erupt” through the gum. When that happens, your general dentist will probably refer you to an oral surgeon who can remove the tooth for you… eliminating the discomfort but not the wisdom.
What Are Sealants?
A sealant refers to the plastic material dentists paint onto the chewing surfaces of teeth. Similar to how paints are used to prevent water from soaking into wood, sealants prevent food from getting trapped and causing tooth decay. They work by covering the most difficult part of the teeth to clean -- crevices usually too small for a toothbrush to reach.
Sealants are a terrific preventive tool with long-term reaching results. They can last for a long time and benefit children by protecting their teeth during the cavity-prone years of childhood and on into adulthood.
Diabetes And Dental Care
Did you know that diabetes and dental care have a direct relationship? Poor oral health provides opportunities for bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which raises your sugar levels and requires your body to create more insulin. On the other hand, diabetes slows your ability to heal, making it extremely important to practice good oral hygiene. The slower your body heals, the more likely infections can progress to gingivitis, periodontal disease, or tooth loss.
Make it easy on yourself by keeping your diabetes under control and maintaining good oral hygiene:
-
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste;
- Replace your toothbrush every three months;
- Floss daily;
- Get a dental check-up and teeth cleaning at least twice a year;
- Avoid smoking and other forms of tobacco;
- Avoid candy and other sugary foods;
- Eat a well-balanced diet; and
- Contact your dentist if you notice:
- Red, tender, swollen gums
- Gums that bleed when you brush them
- Gums pulling away from your teeth
- Loose teeth
|
Also, remind your dentist that you have diabetes, and eat before your dental visit to keep your blood glucose level under control. Maintaining good control of your blood sugar levels before and after a dental visit will reduce the risk of diabetic and oral complications.
|
