YES, WE ALL LIVE ON BUDGETS, right? When life throws us a curve ball, it can be tempting to postpone our dental treatments. Resist that temptation! There’s a better way to save money and stay healthy: A Preventative Dental Care Plan.

Part 1: Do Your Part At Home

All you need is a toothbrush, some dental floss, and five minutes of your day. Thorough daily brushing and flossing removes bacteria and sugar in your mouth and helps to prevent tooth decay. This is the most important part of your new preventative care plan and only you can do it!

Part 2: Don’t Skip Your Dental Visits

Let us help you! Deep cleanings from our team can reach those areas you can’t—such as below the gums—and can help fight plaque and other dental demons. Regular maintenance appointments are less expensive than restorative work.

Part 3: Fix Problems Early

Many people admit that they only visit the dentist when they feel something is wrong. If you don’t wait until it’s too late, your visit can be comfortable and convenient. By keeping your regular checkups we can catch and address possible issues while they’re still small.

Your Preventative Plan May Be A Life Saver

By following your plan you can better protect yourself from major issues down the road. Some studies even indicate that neglecting your oral health may lead to other health issues including cardiovascular problems and diabetes. Faithfully following your “Preventative Dental Care Plan” helps keep you healthy.

Questions?

Let us know if you have any questions about your at-home oral care techniques. You can ask questions below or stop by our Facebook page to send us a direct message.

Thank You For Being Our Patients And Friends!

THIS SUNDAY MUCH OF THE WORLD CELEBRATES motherhood and the many moms who have helped shape our lives. Most of us can thank a mom for our first smiles, subsequent years of grins and endless hours of care—including lots of help and encouragement taking care of our smiles. For ALL our mothers do, we want to say “thanks”!

The next time you eat, brush, floss or go see the dentist, stop and think about who taught you to do all those things? It may have been a dad or someone else who watched over you, but chances are it was your mom. Regardless of who it was, the individual(s) who taught you how to take care of yourself—and your smile—have made a big difference in your life.

This Mother’s Day, when you talk to your own mom or send a message to another mom who’s important to you, think about all the times that person made you smile. If that special somebody helped you with oral care, say “thank you” specifically for that! Let us know what that person says back to you by commenting below! We’d like to hear what their reactions might be!

After all, if it weren’t for the people who cared for us and taught us about good oral hygiene, we’d probably all have less to smile about (and fewer teeth to smile with).

If you have a favorite memory of mom, we’d love to hear about it. Share it with us in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Have a great Mother’s Day!

IF YOU’RE PRONE TO SINUS INFECTIONS you may not think to visit with us. Well, perhaps you should! Tooth infections, also known as abscesses, can cause sinus infections. And, conversely, a sinus infection can make you feel like you have a toothache!

What Are Sinuses And How Can They Become Infected?

Your sinuses are a connected system of hollow chambers in your skull. Air passes through them to get warm and moist before moving to your lungs. Usually your body is able to keep your sinuses clean but sometimes bacteria can grow out of control and cause an infection.

Only The Maxillary Sinuses Can Be Infected By A Tooth

While you have several sinuses, only one set is affected by tooth-related issues. The maxillary sinuses are on either side of your nose and come in close contact with the roots of your upper teeth. Because the two are so close, abscesses from the upper back teeth can make their way into your maxillary sinus and cause an infection.

Contact Us At The First Sign Of Pain

Generally, tooth abscesses are painful. However, once in a while there’s no discomfort at all—it depends on the location of the infection. If you’re experiencing pain let us know, even if the pain goes away. We can help catch problems—and infections—before they spread.

If you’re at all worried that your sinus infections are causing toothaches, or a tooth-related problem is causing sinus infections, don’t hesitate to call. We’d be happy to visit with you.

Stay Connected To Our Blog And Stay Healthier!

The connection between your overall health and oral health is amazing. Continue reading our blog posts to stay informed about the best ways to maintain your health!

We Appreciate The Trust You Place In Our Practice!

WHY ARE CERTAIN CANDIES so bad for our teeth? One reason is all that sugar, of course. We know that. Here’s something you may not think about as often… Many popular treats include the descriptors tart, tangy, and sour. It seems the more bitter, the better.

Trouble is, our teeth are paying the price for this sour trend and we continue to see the damage.

Acid Erodes Our Teeth

A pH scale shows where substances are on a spectrum from base to acidic. 14–12 is really base, and 2–0 is really acidic.

A nice, neutral pH level of 7 is ideal for your mouth. When you eat acidic foods the pH level lowers. This can create a hostile, enamel-eroding environment for your teeth. No sugar (or plaque) is necessarily needed for an “acid attack” to be damaging.

Let’s Break It Down

Our tooth enamel can start to erode at a pH level of 4. Spree, a relatively mild sour candy, has a pH level of 3, Sour Skittles 2.2, and WarHeads Spray 1.6. That’s pretty shocking when you consider battery acid has a pH level of 1.0.

The Sad Signs Of Erosion

The acid in sour candy can really take a toll on our teeth and may even cause:

Be Smart

Chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva flow for cleansing. Swishing water around in your mouth can also help. Still, the smartest thing you can do is to stop eating tart candies, or eat them very sparingly. They’re treats, not snacks.

If you’re experiencing signs of acid erosion, ask us about it. We can help.

Thanks For Being Our Valued Patient! We Hope You And Your Smile Are Doing Well!

WE ALL KNOW THAT EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR US. It promotes wellness, prevents sickness, and is said to benefit body, mind, and soul. But did you know that regular exercise is also good for your oral health? Read on…

Exercise Can Reduce Gum Disease Risk

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums caused by harmful bacteria in our mouths. Regular exercise can reduce inflammation in your body and mouth—which in turn can lower your risk of gum disease. In a Journal of Periodontology study researchers found that individuals who work out regularly and maintain a healthy weight are 40% less likely to develop gum disease.

Because some studies have linked gum disease to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, eating healthy and staying active can also help protect you from more serious conditions.

Exercise Can Strengthen And Protect Your Smile

Working out helps improve digestion and can help your body more effectively use vitamins and minerals that are essential to dental health. If you exercise and eat healthy, your body is better able to use the nutrients in food to strengthen and protect your smile.

Physical fitness can greatly contribute to dental health. It can also improve your mood, help you manage stress and increase brainpower. If you’re not already, we encourage you to make exercising a habit.

3 Tips On How To Make Exercise A Habit

Have any exercising tips to add? We’d love to see them. Share them with us on Facebook or in the comments below.

Thank You For Letting Us Be A Part Of Your Healthy Goals!

DO YOU EXPERIENCE sudden, sharp pain sometimes when you drink a glass of ice water, eat ice cream, or sip hot coffee? You’re not alone. One in eight adults experiences tooth sensitivity—the kind of sensitivity that isn’t due to a problem such as a cavity. So what’s causing it? Surprisingly, one of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity is brushing with too much force.

How Could Brushing Hurt?

Over brushing is problematic because it wears down the protective layers of your tooth enamel. It can also push back your gums, exposing the dentin layer under the enamel even more. This dentin layer has microscopic tubes or canals that lead to your tooth’s nerves. If these tubes are exposed to hot, cold, or even acidic foods it can lead to discomfort and tooth sensitivity.

Tips For Better Brushing:

Put In The Time

When it comes to cleaning teeth, elbow grease doesn’t do the trick. Consider this mantra: brush smarter, not harder. When regularly brushing, the plaque you’re trying to get rid of is fairly soft and can easily be brushed away with a soft brush.

During the two minutes you’re brushing it’s good to be thorough, but there’s no need to scrub the same areas over and over again.

Questions?

Are you experiencing tooth sensitivity? Over brushing isn’t the only possible cause. You may want to request an appointment so we can talk about your symptoms and determine the reason for your pain.

You can also leave a question below, or you can ask a private question on our Facebook page.

Thanks for being a valued patient in our practice!

CAN YOU IMAGINE HOLDING YOUR SMILE perfectly still for 15 minutes until the camera clicked? That’s how long it took for a photograph to expose in 1839.

Later, exposure times were significantly cut back, but it still took at least 20 seconds. To make sure pictures weren’t ruined, photographers asked their subjects to stay completely still and not adjust their bodies or facial expressions. No wonder people were so stiff and serious in old time photos! They were probably frustrated, tired and bored!

Now, snapping a photo takes no time at all. In fact, most people have an HD camera in their pocket all the time (called a smartphone). Today, when someone whips out a camera, it’s just second nature for us to flash a quick smile. But it wasn’t always that way. Why?

Why People Didn’t Smile In The Early Days Of Photography

The Serious Nature Of Formal Occasions

Photography was rare and expensive. Most people only had a few opportunities during their entire lifetime to have their photo taken. Therefore, when the rich were being photographed, they treated the “event” with the utmost seriousness. They preferred the thoughtful, tortured look to the playful kissy-face look that’s so popular today.

Poor Dental Health

In the 1800s good dental care was not widely available. Modern dental procedures designed to help people keep their teeth for life were unavailable—so, most people had missing, broken, chipped, or rotten teeth. Even if the technology would have allowed them to show their smiles to the camera, they may have preferred to keep their mouths shut.

When Did Things Start Changing?

Starting in the 1900’s, we see more natural-looking, relaxed poses. But why did we start smiling? Well, we’re not really sure. But one theory is that a picture is our introduction to someone new, and when we meet someone new, we usually make a good impression with a welcoming smile.

Keep Your Smile Camera-Ready

Are You Still Holding Back Your Smile?

We live in a wonderful time where modern dentistry allows us to enjoy healthy, beautiful grins. If, for any reason, you’re uncomfortable with your smile or dental health, let’s visit. We want you to feel 100% confident when you smile.

The 1800s are behind us, including the fashion and the seriousness. Thank you for trusting your smile to our practice!

Just For Fun!

Do YOU have a family or personal photo shoot story (good or bad, funny or serious)? Please tell us about it by posting in the comments section below or on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear it!

5,000,000 TEETH ARE KNOCKED OUT during sporting events each year, according to the National Youth Sports Safety Foundation. Yes, that’s six zeros, meaning five million! If people don’t start protecting themselves, the Tooth Fairy may be able to retire—and we don’t want that!

April is National Facial Protection Month. Regardless of your age (adults get teeth knocked out too), we want to help you keep your smile beautiful.

Protective Gear Greatly Reduces Chances Of Injury

By simply wearing properly fitted mouthguards and other forms of protective gear, athletes of all ages can greatly reduce the risk of traumatic facial injury. So, this spring, as team rosters fill up and your urge to hit the field or court grows stronger, remember to use appropriate protective gear.

Three Safety Tips For You And Your Family

  1. Wear a mouthguard for all contact sports including baseball, soccer, football, and lacrosse. Other sports may apply too!
  2. Wear a helmet and/or protective eyewear when appropriate. Face shields can also help protect your skin.
  3. Be alert. Whether in the game or cheering from the sidelines, pay attention.

We want everyone to be active but smart during the upcoming seasons and beyond! If you’re unsure of the type of protective gear you should wear for a sport or outdoor activity, please ask us. We’re here to help make sure you have a blast this spring and summer, all while being safe.

Add Your Story

Have any of you had an experience where protective gear really made a difference? We want to hear about it. Leave it in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Thanks For Being Our Valued Patients And Friends.

AFTER FINISHING LUNCH AT WORK, DO YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH? A survey reveals that despite knowing that a healthy, attractive smile affects both personal wellness and professional image, very few people are brushing at the office.

The survey, carried out by The Academy of General Dentistry and Oral-B Laboratories, polled more than 1,000 full-time employees about their oral care habits and the importance of a healthy smile at work. Their findings were very interesting.

The Importance Of A Healthy Smile At Work

Office Eating And Brushing Stats

Changing When You Brush

The sugars and starches in the food you eat can cause an “acid attack” on tooth enamel. Even after the visible evidence of food disappears, plaque bacteria continues to grow. If you don’t brush, those workday meals, snacks, and beverages stay on your teeth and can increase the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. So brush! Let’s adjust the when of brushing just a bit, to your advantage: brush your teeth after breakfast, after meals at work, and before you go to bed.

Helpful Tips For Brushing At Work

Suggestions?

If you brush your teeth regularly at work, do you have any suggestions to help the rest of us, who may not be as valiant? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Thank You For Being A Part Of Our Practice.

MORE AND MORE PEOPLE are keeping their original teeth well into their old age. It’s fantastic! However, it’s really important to understand the special attention needed to maintain a healthy smile when you’re 60+ years of age. Whether you fall in that category, or you care for someone who is elderly, there are a few things below that we want to be sure our senior patients know.

Dry Mouth Can Increase Cavity And Gum Disease Risks

Dry mouth (xerostomia) affects many seniors. Lower saliva flow is often a function of aging. In addition, many medications can also cause dry mouth. Without the cleansing, pH balancing and remineralizing that saliva helps take care of, one’s oral health isn’t as protected as it could be.

Treat dry mouth by occasionally sucking on a sugarless mint or chewing sugarless gum to encourage saliva flow. Swishing water regularly can also help keep one’s mouth clean and better hydrated.

Flossing Can Be More Important Than Ever

For some people over 60, their ability to fight infections like gingivitis isn’t as strong as it once was. Some studies show that unhealthy gums can leave the rest of the body vulnerable to other inflammatory diseases—including heart disease or stroke. Even Alzheimer’s and dementia have been potentially linked to this problem.

So please make sure that you’re flossing (or that the person you care for is flossing)—not just for one’s oral health, but also for one’s whole body health.

Special Tools Are Available To Help With Home Care

Many seniors find that impaired mobility makes the routine tasks of brushing and flossing really difficult. If you, or someone you love is in that position, please ask us about products like electric toothbrushes and floss piks that can make the job easier.

Keep Regular Checkup Appointments

Based on the risk factors mentioned above, it’s especially important for seniors to get regular, thorough cleanings and check-ups. When you visit, be sure to tell us about your medications, your brushing and flossing habits, and any medical conditions you’re experiencing. The more we know, the more we can help you continue to have great oral health over a lifetime.

Remember That Great Oral Health Isn’t Just About Teeth—It’s About Whole Body Health!

We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment! By the way, do you already Like our Facebook page? If not, come say hello!

ARE YOU SLEEPING AS WELL AS YOU’D LIKE? If you said “no”, you’re not alone. A 2011 poll by the National Sleep Foundation found that nearly two thirds of adults say their sleep needs are not being met. Two thirds! Even more surprising is this: your sleep deprivation may have something to do with your oral health. Really.

Sadly, we can’t solve all of your sleep problems, but there is one major sleep impediment that we CAN help with, one that you may not even know about…

Sleep Bruxism

Bruxism is defined as the involuntary or habitual grinding of teeth, typically during sleep. 70% of people demonstrate some kind of bruxing behavior, and for at least 8% of adults, it can cause major problems.

Are You A Sleeping Bruxist?

Since it usually happens during sleep, it may be hard to know if you’re grinding your teeth. Rest assured (no pun intended), here are some symptoms of bruxism you will want to watch out for:

If you are experiencing any one of these things, let us know! We want to help. Your oral health, and your sleep, are important to us.

How Bruxism Affects Your Oral Health

In addition to being the third most frequent sleep disorder, bruxism can also cause major damage to your teeth and dental work. It can result in fracturing, loosening, and even tooth loss. It also puts a lot of strain on your jaw and cranial muscles, which can lead to more serious problems. So, and perhaps most importantly, let’s talk about prevention.

How To Avoid Teeth Grinding

  1. Cut back on caffeine, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.
  2. Don’t chew on anything that is not food (pencils and pens are for writing).
  3. If you suspect that anxiety contributes to your bruxism, ask us, or your doctor, about options to help reduce stress.
  4. Consider a night mouth guard (a well-fitting night guard can relieve strain, cause your jaw to relax at night, and greatly reduce grinding and clenching).

Other Tips For A Better Night’s Sleep

If you have any questions about night guards, or about the effects of bruxism, call us. We want to help you get the beauty rest and the beautiful smile you deserve. You can also comment below, or on our Facebook page. We love hearing from you!

Thank You For Being Our Valued Patients And Friends.

March 17–23 is Root Canal Awareness Week. We know there are misperceptions out there about root canal therapy. We also know that it’s a topic people don’t typically visit about in a favorable light. Root canal therapy has always been a bit of a “whipping boy” in dentistry—and, its reputation is probably undeserved. This is especially true given today’s awesome treatment advancements.

The Most Common Misperception

The problems that lead up to needing a root canal can be painful because they affect your tooth’s pulp and nerves. Oftentimes people associate root canal treatment with the discomfort that made the treatment necessary in the first place. Don’t forget that root canal therapy is the solution, not the problem! And, root canals don’t need to be painful.

Today’s Ingredients For Comfortable Root Canal Treatments:

  1. safe, effective anesthesia
  2. extremely precise tools
  3. incredible imaging technology that enhances how and what we see
  4. shorter treatment times

If you’re anxious about having a root canal, or about any other dental treatment, please let us know. Or if you have questions, please ask us. Your comfort is our #1 priority. Don’t postpone important dental care because of fear. We listen and we care. Let’s take great care of your oral health, together.

Thanks For Your Trust In Our Practice. We Appreciate You!

HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING STATS about soft drinks:

Soft drinks are loaded with sugar and empty calories. Consumption has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart problems.

But of major concern to us, as your lifelong oral health partner, is that sugary, carbonated drinks really bully your teeth!

1. The Acids Eat Away At Your Tooth Enamel

Your tooth enamel is strong—the hardest substance in your body, in fact. But the phosphoric acid and citric acid in soft drinks (ironic name for sodas, isn’t it?) is stronger.

2. Carbonated Sugar Is Replacing Calcium-Rich Milk

In 1966, Americans drank more milk (33 gallons/year) than soft drinks (20 gallons/year). Contrast that with 2010, when the average American drank 45 gallons of soft drinks and only 20 gallons of milk.

3. Diet Isn’t Really Better

You can remove sugar from the equation, but the acid is still there! In fact, many sugar-free soft drinks are more acidic than high-sugar ones.

Root beer may be the safest soft drink for your teeth, even though it’s loaded with sugar. Why? Because it’s comparatively low in acid.

4. Constant Sipping Creates A Constant War Zone

Every time you take a sip of a Coke, your mouth becomes an acid-attack zone. It takes your mouth up to 30 minutes to rebalance and create a safe zone for your teeth again. Until then, your teeth ARE losing protective substance, leaving them more vulnerable to cavities, and sensitivity.

5. It’s A Dessert Disguised As A Beverage

Don’t believe us? Here’s the math… One 12 oz can of Coke (the smallest serving available) has 39 grams of sugar, which is more than…

So, minimize the damage by:

  1. Drinking less! Replace soft drinks with milk, water, even juice.
  2. Drinking it all at once, instead of sipping all day.
  3. Swishing it down with water to clear away the sugar and acidity.

What Do YOU Think?

What are YOU doing, if anything, to cut back on beverages that aren’t great for your teeth? Are you trying to drink more water? Any secrets for doing so that you can share with us and with our other patients? Please comment below, or on our Facebook page. We love hearing from you.

Thanks for being our valued patient!

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD someone say that after you cut your finger, and it heals, that the scar tissue is stronger than normal tissue? Some opinions vary, but it appears that this notion is more myth than truth. But what about your teeth and your restorative dental work? Can a filling or a crown get a cavity?

It’s Important To Keep A Watchful Eye On Fillings And Other Dental Restorations

Regardless of where (or how long ago) dental procedures were performed, it’s really important to keep an eye on them. That’s a big part of your regular checkups. Here’s why:

  1. Decay can sneak in around fillings, crowns, and other restorative dental work.
  2. Sometimes, restorative work gives plaque additional nooks and crannies to hide in.
  3. Typically, the lifespan of fillings is shorter than the lifespan of your tooth.
  4. Checking for unusual wear, cracks, and chips can save much bigger problems later including more serious problems like gum disease and tooth loss.

How Long Should A Filling Last?

The results from research and studies into this question vary greatly. One of the reasons it’s difficult to predict the lifespan of a filling is because the conditions surrounding that filling are different in every case. It can depend on one or several of the following factors:

“An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure”

Your mom was right—an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. That’s why regular checkups are SO important. When fillings and other dental work get older and worn, they can be more prone to cracks (or even falling out). Regular appointments allow these things to be monitored and checked to catch problems before they become emergencies.

Next time you visit, ask us about possible options for replacing old fillings, and how long you can expect yours to last. For some people, this is also a cosmetic decision because today’s tooth-colored fillings and restorations can look a lot nicer when you smile. If you have concerns or questions BEFORE your next appointment, please comment below or on our Facebook page and we will get right back to you.

We hope this information has been helpful to you.

We Can’t Express It Often Enough… Thank You For Being Our Valued Patients And Friends! We Appreciate You.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT TEETH, but not a lot about your tongue. Your tongue plays a vital role in your overall oral health! Did you know that your tongue is the fastest-healing part of your body? And without our tongues, we couldn’t speak, taste, or even swallow.

Six Facts About The Human Tongue:

  1. The tongue is a special kind of muscle called a muscular hydrostatic. This means that it operates without any help from your skeletal structure, like an elephant trunk or octopus tentacle.
  2. Your tongue is a natural cleaner—it starts clearing out food on your teeth after eating.
  3. Not all of your taste buds are located on your tongue. About 10% of them are found on your cheeks and the roof of your mouth.
  4. Almost 50% of the bacteria in your mouth is on your tongue. That’s why it’s important to brush your tongue for fresher breath!
  5. Taste buds are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Those little bumps on your tongue aren’t taste buds—they’re called papillae.
  6. Some people have pierced their tongues since ancient times, but there are serious oral health dangers associated with doing so, including chipped teeth and nerve damage.

Time For A Little Fun

Most of time, talking about your teeth, dentistry and oral health is pretty serious. But once in a while, we need to have a little fun…

How Many Licks To The Center Of A Tootsie Roll Pop?

Since 1970, Tootsie Roll Industries has received over 20,000 responses from kids around the world answering that question. Answers range from 100 to 5,000, but the average is about 700. Purdue University actually enlisted the aid of a “licking machine” to determine the answer. While the machines averaged at 364 licks, the human control group averaged 252 licks.

It’s YOUR turn!

Thanks for being our valued patients and friends. Have you visited our Facebook page lately?

YES, IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY—and what better day to talk about smiles, attraction, and relationships!? It’s probably never occurred to you to look to your dentist for dating advice. But the fact is that smiles have a surprising amount to do with attraction.

It’s Not So Much About Makeup And Primping

Women in many countries annually spend up to $8 billion on makeup. And, the average woman in those countries spends 20 minutes a day (or more) applying it. But according to a Wrigley Gum study where participants looked at thousands of photos of women smiling with makeup, smiling without makeup, not smiling with makeup, and not smiling without makeup, the study found that both men AND women think that a smile makes a person more attractive than makeup does (and it may save a woman 20 minutes a day)!

Smiles Literally Draw People Closer

Why are smiles so attractive to us? A smile is a “social cue”. It can signal apology, welcome, gratitude, or celebration. A smile means “you’re clear to approach” and we all react to it subconsciously.

Your Smile Ranks #1 In How You’re Initially Judged

Sometimes it’s unwise to judge a book by its cover, but the importance of a first impression is undeniable. A recent survey of over 5,000 singles found that both men (58%) and women (71%) judge the opposite sex MOST on their teeth.

Unfortunately, this is rough news for the 30% of people who are unhappy with their smiles. If you’re one of them, please contact us to visit about things you can do to be more confident about your smile, whether you’re ready for something big or just looking for a small, subtle improvement.

Thanks for your trust in our practice! We appreciate you!

NEARLY EVERYONE KNOWS SOMEONE WHO is directly or indirectly affected by diabetes. Not only can diabetes be difficult to manage, but it can also increase a person’s risk for other major health problems—including oral health problems.

It’s Everyone’s Obligation To Help Educate

With over 300 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes, we want to be sure you understand the relationship between diabetes and gum disease. Unfortunately, many, many people are unaware of the connection, so it really becomes everyone’s responsibility to help the people we know and love be more informed and aware.

Diabetes Can Make A Person Twice As Likely To Develop Gum Disease

Diabetes lowers a person’s ability to fight infection in his or her mouth and gums, which is essentially what gum disease is—infection caused by excessive bacteria hanging out at the gum line and in the mouth. And, there’s also a big catch 22. While diabetes can contribute to gum disease, the gum disease (in return) can exacerbate diabetes. Gum disease can further increase risk for problems that diabetics are prone to—things like kidney disease, heart disease and stroke. And just like other infections, it can cause blood sugar levels to rise.

Tips For Diabetic Patients:

Keep An Eye Out For The Symptoms

It’s much easier to reign in gum disease if you catch it early. So if you notice these early signs, talk to our practice.

Do you have questions for us about diabetes and your oral health? Please ask us! Leave a comment below, give us a call, or message us on Facebook.

Thanks For Being A Valued Patient In Our Practice!

MARCH IS NUTRITION MONTH—an education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Of course the topic of eating enough fruits and vegetables is applicable to our overall health, but most of us don’t often think about the implications for our teeth, gums, and complete oral health.

Feed Your Teeth And Gums What They Really Want

Did you know that…

Are You Eating Enough Fruits And Vegetables?

Not sure how many servings of fresh fruits and vegetables you need? Click on the calculator (left) to find out, based on your age, gender, and daily activity level. The recommended number of servings may be much higher than you think. And if you’re not consuming enough servings, here are some handy tips that will help:

1. Switch up your snacks. Cookies and crackers are easy to eat because they’re so accessible. With a little effort, fruits and vegetables can be just as accessible. Slice apples, pre-cut vegetables (and if you need it, pre-make a favorite dip for them).

2. Include vegetables in your entrees. Load up sandwiches and pizzas with them. Incorporate them into burritos, pasta, scrambled eggs, etc.

3. Add fruits to desserts. Put berries in your yogurt, bananas in your cereal, and order the fruit tart instead of the chocolate cake. Even better, replace usual desserts with a fruit plate.

4. Experiment with different vegetables and vegetable cooking techniques. This will add variety! To start, try this one:

Your Teeth Love Vegetables. Your Oral Bacteria Loves Sugars.

We hope these ideas help you become the healthiest you can be. As one of your lifelong health partners, we’re concerned about both your overall and oral health. Do YOU have a few of your own ideas that will help others? Please share them below, or on our Facebook page!

Breaking The Dental Anxiety Cycle

According to a new study, by the University of Madrid, children most often look to their fathers when gauging potentially stressful situations. It appears that if a father is nervous about dental visits, his children pick up on his cues (no surprise there)—even unintentional ones—and may follow suit.

The findings include you too, mom. The International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry confirms that the higher the level of dental anxiety in any family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family. Other studies show that women more often demonstrate positive habits and attitudes towards dentistry—so it may be up to you to set the good example!

Your Comfort Is Our Highest Priority

The “old days” of dentistry are long gone. Modern dentistry makes visiting the dentist a comfortable experience. Here at our practice, we take your comfort very seriously. Here are a couple of additional ideas:

  1. You’re always welcome to bring a friend or family member. Whatever your age, sometimes it’s nice to have a friendly face with you if you’re anxious.
  2. Distract yourself. Do you have some favorite songs on your phone or MP3 player? What about a handheld game you enjoy? Bring it along! Our team will do everything we can to accommodate you.
  3. Talk to us! One of the best ways to overcome anxiety is to talk about it. We are always happy to explain what we’re doing. And we’re happy to take breaks when and if you need them.

Helping Us Know You Better Makes A Difference Too!

Lots of things are uncomfortable when they’re new, or outside your routine. We want you to feel at home in our practice, so help us get to know you better. One of the best ways is through our social media channels—especially on our Facebook page. Connect with us there and leave a comment or Like. You can also direct message us there. We’re listening.

Do you have a recommendation for overcoming dental anxiety? Something that’s worked for you? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below!

We appreciate and value your trust. Thanks for being our patient!

DID YOU REALIZE THAT AN ESTIMATED 90% of systemic diseases can have an oral manifestation? Your mouth is loaded with helpful information about your body’s overall health.

Fortunately, most of your mouth’s “stories” are related to minor issues. However, some can actually be signs of more serious problems.

Your Teeth

If you have worn-down teeth it can mean that you’ve been grinding your teeth—probably in your sleep. Grinding can be a symptom of TMD (temporomandibular disorder) which may also lead to chronic headaches.

If we notice that your tooth enamel is thin, it could be a sign of a condition such as acid reflux or bulimia because both regularly bathe teeth in stomach acid.

Your Gums

Occasionally, we all may have swollen, sensitive gums. But if it persists, even when you’re taking really good care of your mouth, it could be an early sign of something serious like diabetes or leukemia. Sometimes it may simply be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. But, it’s good to consider all the possibilities.

In addition, modern research and many health experts continue to draw lines between gum disease and other whole-body health issues including lung disease, cardiovascular problems, and even early-term labor.

Your Tongue

There are a few odd tongue conditions like hairy black tongue (which is pretty much what it sounds like) and geographic tongue (random-shaped, smooth red patches) that have various causes but are not considered serious—although they can cause discomfort. However, what IS serious are early signs of oral cancer which often show up on the side of your tongue first, in small red or white spots. If you have a sore on your tongue, cheek, or elsewhere in your mouth that doesn’t go away in a reasonable amount of time, have us check it out right away.

Nutritional Imbalances

Nutritional deficiencies are often reflected in your mouth where the soft tissues are renewed quickly. An Academy of General Dentistry study shows that oral tissue sensitivity can be a sign of deficiencies in iron, zinc, and folic acid which can show up as gum disease.

Questions About Your Oral Or Overall Health? 

First of all, don’t skip your doctor appointments! That’s not the point of this post! But remember that your regular dental checkups are more important than ever.

Here at our practice, we’re so grateful for your trust. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your oral health, please ask us. And if you have any persistent symptoms like those listed in this post, let us know.

Thanks for being our valued patient. We love what we do because of you!

ARE YOU A LITTLE SURPRISED by the headline of this blog post? If so, you’re not alone. Many people are unaware of the link between asthma and tooth decay resulting from dry mouth.

What Does Asthma Have To Do With Cavities?

When drawing one’s breath doesn’t come easily, most people compensate by breathing through their mouths. In turn, breathing through your mouth causes your mouth to dry out. When there’s insufficient saliva to protect and clean your teeth, you’re left more vulnerable to decay-causing bacteria. In addition, some people compound the problem by sipping on sugary drinks all day trying to quench the dryness!

As if that weren’t enough, asthma and allergy medications themselves can cause even more dryness on top of the mouth breathing. Not a good combination.

Some Evidence—But It’s Not Just About Kids

A Swedish study of children and young adults with similar backgrounds and habits evaluated the links between asthma and caries. Within the group with asthma, 19 out of 20 kids developed tooth decay. In the group of asthma-free kids 7 out of 20 developed tooth decay.

What You Can Do About It

Asthma may not have a simple fix, but tooth decay does. First and foremost, stick faithfully to the basics. Brush at least twice a day and floss to clean the places in your mouth where brushing misses. Keep your scheduled cleaning and checkup appointments. Avoid foods and drinks that are most harmful to your teeth.

And specific to this issue, here are some tips for increased, healthy saliva flow:

One More Special Note About Asthma

If you have asthma, or if someone in your care has asthma, please let our team know! The more we know about your health the better. It helps us advise and serve you better. If you have any questions about how asthma can impact your oral health, please ask us! We’re honored to be your resource.

Thanks For Being A Fantastic Part Of Our Practice! We Appreciate Having You As Our Patient.