Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Aug 26, 2010 @ 09:52 AM
Nutrition and your oral health are highly intertwined. Good nutrition promotes good oral health by enabling your mouth and its tissues to develop and stay healthy. However, some foods and habits are known to spur on plaque development, leading to a heightened risk of tooth decay and dental disease.
With all of this in mind, we’ve put together several quick facts and nutrition tips to keep your teeth and gums disease and decay free.
Quick Facts and Tips:
- Sugars and cooked starches (fermentable carbohydrates) can make a huge impact on your risk of tooth decay, so avoid consumption of these items in excess
- About 20-40 minutes after you eat, your mouth releases acids. Each of these “acid attacks” increases your risk of tooth decay so it's important to limit the number of between-meal snacks you have (as you’ll limit the number of acid attacks as well).
- Foods such as bread and crackers stay on teeth longer that jelly beans or caramels despite perceived stickiness of the latter two. Look to consume foods that clear the mouth quickly, as they pose less of a threat of tooth decay.
- Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when infants’ or young children’s teeth get severely damaged from prolonged exposure to liquids containing sugars. For this reason, you should avoid letting your child fall asleep with a bottle of formula or juice.
- Make sure you get your Vitamin C. It helps protect your gums from infection and can be found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Last but not least, if you do consume sugary or carbohydrate-rich foods, make sure it’s as part of a balanced meal. This helps to increase saliva production and neutralize acid production in the mouth.
Need more tips on nutrition for oral health? Ask your dentist at your next dental checkup.
And, for those who need to find a dentist, Universal Dental Plan can help. Universal Dental Plan is an affordable dental insurance plan alternative in Massachusetts. We connect you with local Boston dentists and providers throughout the state who will be able to answer your questions and point you on a path towards excellent oral health.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Aug 03, 2010 @ 11:46 AM
Everyone gets stressed, it’s an inevitable part of American life. Also, most of us know it can have a negative impact on our mental, physical and social well-being. But did you know that stress can negatively impact on our oral health as well?
Stress, whether at work or at home, can cause a variety of oral health complications including:
- Bruxism (i.e. teeth grinding)
- Canker sores
- Dry mouth
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Lichen planus (characterized by white lines, sores and ulcers in the oral cavity)
- TMJ/TMD
- Gum disease—Studies have shown that long-term stress affects our immune systems. This increases our susceptibility to various infections, such as the ones responsible for periodontal disease.
Do you suffer from any of these problems? Or have you just been stressed lately and perhaps worried these problems could crop up soon?
If so, it’s vital that you talk to your dentist and work together to develop healthy habits.
Here are 3 steps you can take to decrease stress and improve your oral health:
- When you’re feeling stressed, don’t forget your oral health. Instead, take time to focus on your dental hygiene regimen.
- Don’t use tobacco or alcohol as stress relief vehicles. In addition to being highly addictive, these substances can cause significant damage to your oral cavity.
- Take proper measures to reduce stress in your life such as eating well, getting a full night’s sleep and exercising regularly
Last but not least, if you’re worried that stress is affecting your teeth and gums, call your dentist for an appointment. He or she can treat stress-related dental problems and offer suggestions for better at-home care.
Need help finding a dentist? Universal Dental Plan can help you locate one close by from our growing network of Massachusetts dentists and specialists. Call us today at 617-859-1777 and join our affordable dental plan for deep 20-50% savings on all procedures.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, Jul 22, 2010 @ 11:53 AM
Our smiles are made to last a lifetime and proper dental hygiene has a huge impact on the health of your mouth and body, whether you’re 5 or 85. However, as we get older, we become more susceptible to oral health problems such as periodontal disease, inflammation of the gum tissue, dry mouth syndrome (often caused by medications) and oral thrush just to name a few.
It’s plain to see that taking care of your oral health in your golden years comes with several unique considerations. Here are 5 essential tips for seniors to keep healthy teeth and gums (and ultimately healthy bodies).
#5 Keep consistent with your at home oral health care regiment: This means keep brushing, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash as instructed by your dentist to maintain proper dental hygiene.
If brushing and flossing are difficult for you, consider using an apparatus such as a tongue depressor to lengthen your brush or flossing tool. Also, if you suffer from arthritis or a similar condition, you may want to try inserting the back end of your toothbrush into a standard tennis ball for better maneuverability.
#4 Know the warning signs to prevent harmful conditions: Elders are generally more susceptible to many major oral health problems including gum disease, tooth loss, TMJ, dry mouth syndrome and oral cancer and should be on the lookout for key signs and symptoms. Symptoms to watch out for include, swelling of the gums, teeth sensitivity, loose teeth, jaw soreness, persistent mouth sores and bumps or an unquenchable thirst. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your dentist right away for diagnosis and treatment (if you live in Massachusetts and need help finding affordable dentistry, we can certainly help).
#3 Maintain dental appliances such as dentures and dental bridges properly: Contrary to popular belief, a set of dentures won’t last you 20 plus years. The ADA recommends replacing them every 5-7 years to avoid painful consequences such as mouth sores, oral lesions and difficulty chewing/swallowing/digesting food.
For denture wearers, we’ve put together 4 helpful tips to keep them in excellent shape and maintain oral health.
#2 Talk to your dentist about any medication you’re taking as dry mouth syndrome is a common side effect of many Rx drugs. For dry mouth sufferers, dentists can prescribe an array of solution such as an artificial saliva rinse to keep your mouth moist and wash harmful bacteria away.
#1 Visit your dentist as often as he or she recommends for regular checkups: Even if you wear dentures, it’s still vital to visit your dentist twice-yearly per-ADA recommendation. On top of keeping your mouth in tip top shape, your dentist can alert you of developments in your mouth that point to problems elsewhere in your body or pick up on early signs of improper jaw alignment or poor nutrition which may become problematic down the road.
Want more advice on senior dental care? Universal Dental Plan is out on tour this year with a full presentation on the importance of oral health and hygiene in the golden years. Sign up here to bring our Golden Smiles Tour to your local council on aging or senior center.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Fri, Jul 16, 2010 @ 11:11 AM
Skip your twice daily tooth brushing and what do you get for it? Cavities? Gum disease? How about a heightened risk of heart attack?
A recent study of 11,000+ adults backs much prior research linking gum disease with poor cardiovascular health. According to BBC News, researchers found that individuals in the study with the worst oral hygiene had a 70% greater risk of developing heart disease than those that brushed their teeth twice per-day.
The BBC News article also points out the known fact that inflammation (including inflammation in the mouth and gums) plays an important role in the clogging of arteries, which can lead to heart attack. Study participants with poor oral hygiene overwhelmingly tested positive in blood samples for proteins suggestive of inflammation.
Now that you’ve seen how brushing your teeth is good for your heart, here are several helpful teeth brushing guidelines courtesy of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
- Brush thoroughly at least twice a day for 2-3 minutes at a time. Two to three minutes is about the length of a typical song, so feel free to hum your favorite tune while you scrub your pearly whites.
- Make a conscious effort to brush every single tooth in your mouth as well as your tongue.
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse to make your teeth stronger and more resistant to decay.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jul 06, 2010 @ 09:31 AM
The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) estimates that 75% of Americans have some form of gum disease—from the earliest (and mildest) stages of gingivitis to advanced gum disease (periodontitis). So, if most of us have gum disease, why is it that only 3% of Americans actively seek treatment for it?
Experts say that a major reason for the huge difference between the prevalence of gum disease sufferers and those that seek treatment is an overall lack of awareness. Individuals lack awareness on the long term effects of gum disease and its implications on their overall health (consequences on untreated dental diseases include far more than just potential tooth loss).
According to Dr. Samuel Low, President of the American Academy of Periodontology, “there are a variety of myths surrounding periodontal disease and its repercussions.” To help you distinguish fact from fiction, we’ve put together a list of several commonly held myths about gum disease the AAP has indentified.
Myth #1 When your gums bleed, it’s not a big deal: Red, swollen and bleeding gums are among the most common symptoms of gingivitis which, if left untreated, can lead to advanced gum disease (periodontitis). Periodontitis is a far more serious condition than gingivitis and leads to severe detachment of teeth from gums, eventually resulting in tooth loss. If your gums consistently bleed when you brush, floss or eat certain foods, you should definitely make an appointment with your dentist to be evaluated for gum disease.
Early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease will help you avoid many harmful oral health (and bodily health problems) in future years. For example, studies show that gum disease significantly increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes and respiratory infection.
Myth #2 You don’t need to floss every day: Telling someone they don’t need to floss every day is like telling them they only need to wash 60% of their body when they shower. More details on why this is the case can be found here.
Myth # 3 A visit to the periodontist will be scary: Periodontists are gum disease experts who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition, as well as the placement of dental implants (which we’ll go over in a bit). These doctors have undergone three additional years of specialized post-dental school training so you can be sure your teeth and gums are in good hands—literally.
Also, today’s periodontists are equipped with many cutting-edge technologies and use highly innovative tools such as digital radiography, ultrasound technology, biomarker measurement and laser therapy to help make your visit as comfortable as possible.
Myth #4 A tooth lost to gum disease is gone forever: Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss for adults today, and that’s a fact. But for individuals who’ve lost teeth to gum disease, there is a way to regain full, bright smiles that appear completely natural. The solution is a dental implant—an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jaw to hold a replacement tooth. Studies have shown that dental implants have a 98 percent success rate, and periodontists are trained experts in placing them.
Universal Dental Plan’s deep dental discounts apply to all implantology procedures. We have many skilled and compassionate Massachusetts periodontists among our network dentists who can work with our members and help them determine if dental implants are right for them
Myth #5 Poor oral hygiene is the only way to develop gum disease: Although poor oral hygiene is certainly a major risk factor for developing periodontitis, several other factors will heighten your risk for it. These factors include tobacco use, stress, poor diet and even genetic predispositions. The AAP has developed a complimentary online risk assessment test for gum disease that can be accessed here.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Tue, Jun 01, 2010 @ 10:09 AM
If you have sensitive teeth then you're definitely not alone. It's a very common dental problem (in fact, one of the most common complaints dental offices get) which is why we've dedicated this blog entry to it.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
The short answer is gum recession. When your gums recede, the roots of your teeth along with the tubules leading to nerves become exposed to the elements. As a result, teeth develop profound sensitivity to stimuli such as heat and cold.
Several factors contribute to gum recession. Here are just a few:
- Brushing technique: If you use a hard bristled toothbrush (or if you just brush your teeth very hard) it can wear down your tooth enamel exposing the layers of dentin beneath it. Hard brushing can also damage your gum tissue and expose tooth roots.
- Cracked teeth: Cracks in your teeth fill with bacteria, irritate dental pulp and cause sensitivity
- Teeth grinding: Over time , teeth grinding will erode tooth enamel and cause hairline fractures
- Gum Disease: This is the leading cause of gum recession and tooth sensitivity. Gum disease eats away at gum tissue over time, leaving the roots of your teeth exposed.
So, now that you know a few of the most common causes of tooth sensitivity, here are five tips to toughen up your teeth and keep sensitivity away.
- Change your oral hygiene products: Start using a toothpaste designed specifically for desensitizing and a brush with soft bristles (especially if you know you're a hard brusher).
- Use a fluoride rinse. These can help re-mineralize softened areas of tooth enamel and curb sensitivity
- Floss daily to clean your mouth 100 percent every day
- Get regular dental cleanings, twice annually per ADA recommendations. This is crucial in the fight against gum disease.
- If your teeth are sensitive and you're a teeth grinder, visit your dentist and he or she can recommend a night guard
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Thu, May 20, 2010 @ 12:29 PM
Advanced gum disease (or periodontitis) is a chronic bacterial infection that destroys your gum tissue and bones. If left untreated, your teeth become loose and fall out.
Studies show that elderly individuals have the highest rates of gum disease. What's even more alarming is the fact that:
- At least half of non-institutionalized people over age 55 have advanced gum disease
- 1 out of EVERY 4 adults over 60 have lost all of their teeth.
Elder Americans with missing teeth no longer need to suffer in silence with a toothless smile (or avoid smiling at all out of embarrassment). Dental implants are a great tooth replacement option and they look a lot like the real thing!
What dental implants are used for:
Dental implants offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. For maximum effectiveness, they're best when used in conjunction with other procedures.
A dental implant can be used to support a crown replacing one missing tooth or a dental bridge replacing several missing teeth. They can also be used with dentures to increase their stability and reduce patients' gum tissue irritation.
What happens when you get dental implants:
Implants are typically placed in your mouth in a single sitting but require a period of osseointegration immediately afterward. Osseointegration is the technical term for the process of your dental implant and jawbone anchoring together.
Osseointegrated implants are the most commonly used and successful type of dental implant and generally take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to completely heal. At this point, your dentist can complete the procedure with the placement of a crown.
Does your dental plan make implants affordable for you? Or are they viewed by the plan as "nonessential" or "too cosmetic"?
For Massachusetts individuals and seniors especially, Universal Dental Plan offers easy, affordable access to deep, everyday discounts on all procedures (including cosmetic). Memberships are immediate so sign up now and start saving today.
Posted by Meghan Weaver on Wed, May 05, 2010 @ 12:59 PM
So, you sit down in your dentist's chair for your checkup and they ask you a couple of questions. "Are you brushing at least twice per-day?" "How about flossing, are you doing that at least once per-day?"
If you're like most people, you just nod your head to both of these questions. After all, floss is just a piece of string, right? However, this little piece of string can have a huge impact on your oral health and the health of your body too. Here's why.
Get your mouth 100 percent clean:
Imagine taking a shower every day but only washing 60% of your body. What do you think will happen to the other 40%? It will never get clean. Also, dirt and grime will build up in those areas over time and people will really start to notice.
Think of your mouth in the same way. Brushing without flossing misses nearly 40% of your tooth surfaces. Bacteria build up in the areas you miss everyday causing tooth decay and gum disease. These conditions left untreated can cause dangerous tooth abscesses or even lead to tooth loss.
Avoid harmful (and even deadly) complications down the road:
When you have excellent oral health, it can make a huge impact on the health of your body. Here are just 3 of the many ways how.
Reduce your risk of heart disease: People with periodontal disease are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease-the number one killer of Americans today. After all, the plaque that gets in your arteries and causes heart attacks is the same plaque that gets on your teeth. You can prevent periodontal disease (which affects 75% of Americans) with healthy brushing and flossing habits among other things.
Keep your blood sugar under control: If you're diabetic then you should be especially vigilant about maintaining healthy flossing habits. That's because bacteria in your mouth makes it much more difficult to control blood sugar levels. So, if you floss every day and keep bacteria out of your mouth, you'll have a much easier time keeping your blood sugar where it needs to be.
Periodontal diseases heightens risk for preterm births: Pregnant women take note, if you have periodontal disease, you are 7 times more likely to have a pre-term birth. That's why maintaining a comprehensive oral health routine while pregnant can go a long way towards your delivery of a healthy baby.
As you've seen from above, gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis can cause major health problems. And, great habits like brushing and flossing can go a long way.
Check out this great video on how to floss your teeth from Howcast.com.