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Category: Oral Hygiene

  • Oral Hygiene Can Save Your Life

    The Link Between Gum Disease and Heart Disease

    Most people know that poor dental health can lead to cavities, bad breath, and gum disease. But did you know that neglecting your brushing routine could put you at risk of a heart attack or stroke?

    Poor dental hygiene causes gum disease, which can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even dementia. One of the most common warning signs of gum disease is inflammation. Gingivitis, a condition in which your gums become inflamed, occurs when there is a buildup of plaque on your teeth. Swollen, tender gums that bleed easily are a sign of gingivitis.

    Not treated properly, this condition can escalate to periodontitis. When this happens, the gum tissue begins to pull away from the teeth, allowing harmful bacteria to form pockets beneath the gumline, attack the bone, and enter the bloodstream.

    Any bacteria that slips into your bloodstream through the network of blood vessels in your mouth can be carried to your heart. The bacteria can cause inflammation and arterial plaque, which restricts the amount of blood that’s able to flow to your heart and puts you at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke.

    Once you develop periodontitis, no amount of brushing and flossing will be sufficient, and a professional cleaning at a dentist’s office is necessary. The best defense against gum disease is a proper brushing and flossing routine. If your gum problems persist, speak to your dentist as soon as you can. Periodontitis is treatable through deep cleaning and antibiotics. You’ll immediately feel better, and you’ll lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

  • Fluoride: The Cavity Fighter

    Patients with young children always ask about fluoride. There’s a lot of misinformation about fluoride out there, leading some people to think it does more harm than good. I’m here to dispel those rumors and show you that fluoride is a crucial part of anyone’s dental hygiene routine.

    Cavities occur when tooth enamel breaks down — called demineralization — causing decay. Fluoride helps prevent cavity formation in three major ways. First, fluoride actively halts demineralization, keeping your enamel healthy and strong. Second, when demineralization does occur, fluoride can help remineralize teeth, restoring them to their ideal condition. Finally, fluoride inhibits bacterial growth, eliminating nasty compounds that can lead to tooth decay.

    Many cities fluoridate their drinking water because it’s so beneficial to oral health. To find out if your community is one of them, you can go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “My Water’s Fluoride” website and search by state and county. Whether or not your drinking water contains fluoride, it’s a good idea for children to begin using fluoride toothpaste as soon as they have teeth.

    For little ones under 2 years of age, you should only use a smear the size of a grain of rice. Children between 2 and 5 can upgrade to a pea-sized dollop. If your kids love the flavor of their toothpaste, it’s a good idea to keep it in a place they can’t reach. Too much fluoride, while not dangerous in the long term, can cause an upset stomach.

    Plenty of adults can benefit from fluoride as well. Those with increased sensitivity and exposed roots will find fluoride helpful in lessening pain. Patients who take medications that cause dry mouth should also use fluoride to fight the bacteria that saliva naturally combats.

  • The Importance of Early Detection

    April was Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which got me thinking about how important oral cancer screenings are as part of your regular dental hygiene routine. We perform screenings during every cleaning and exam. It’s particularly important because many oral cancers don’t have dramatic symptoms in their early stages. Early detection also significantly increases the survival rate of oral cancer patients.

    While everyone should be screened for oral cancer at least once per year, there are certain groups that are at an elevated risk for developing the disease. The biggest risk factors are smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco. Excessive alcohol consumption, sun exposure, and human papillomavirus (HPV) also increase a patient’s likelihood of developing oral cancer. It’s more common in males than females, and a higher incidence rate occurs in those above age 50.

    An expert may be required for a diagnosis, but you can do a basic screening at home. To start, examine the sides and underside of your tongue for any patches or discoloration. From there, move to your lips and the inside of your cheeks, feeling for any bumps and looking for any red or white patches. Do the same for the floor of your mouth and your soft palate. It’s also worth checking for swollen lymph nodes, but remember that those can signify any number of problems, not just oral cancer.

    The presence of symptoms is not a surefire sign of oral cancer. Our mouths are complicated, and it’s important to make sure that you verify any cause for concern with a professional. At Eagle Dental Care, we are happy to offer oral cancer screenings in between regularly scheduled visits. If you feel you could benefit from a screening, give us a call today.

  • The Benefits of an Electric Toothbrush

    I swear by my electric toothbrush, and I always recommend that patients switch from manual to electric. Many people balk at the idea of spending more than a couple of bucks on a toothbrush, but the increased upfront cost ends up paying for itself.

    Basically, the only significant investment is in the system itself. You just need one or two bases for your whole family, because everyone can swap out the heads easily. Replacement heads are inexpensive, especially when they go on sale on Amazon. I can’t remember the last time I paid standard retail price for a set. Not to mention, the increased effectiveness of electric toothbrushes could end up saving you money on dental care.

    Why do electric toothbrushes work better than their manual counterparts? The motion and speed created by a motor can’t be replicated by human hands, making the time spent brushing more productive. Most electric models also come equipped with timers that ensure you spend adequate time brushing. Sometimes, they’ll even have alerts every 30 seconds to let you know it’s time to switch to a different region of your mouth.

    Electric brushes are a great option for everybody, but there are certain groups of people for whom they can be particularly beneficial. If you tend to develop plaque at a faster-than-average rate, an electric brush will help keep buildup at bay. For folks with arthritis and other conditions that limit dexterity, electric models also decrease the discomfort that can come from manual brushing. Those with braces and other orthodontic devices will discover that electric brushes are much better at clearing away hard-to-reach food stuck between wires. Finally, those of you who are naturally hard brushers — the type of people who fray a toothbrush in a month — will find that an electric model will decrease tissue damage associated with over-enthusiastic brushing.

    For all of these reasons, it’s a great decision to go electric. You probably don’t use a flip phone anymore, so why use outmoded technology on your teeth?

  • Why Do We Care About White Teeth?

    It happens to everyone. One day, you’re standing in front of the mirror getting ready for work, and you notice your teeth have begun to take on an unsightly shade of yellow. Even the most diligent brushers and flossers will eventually notice their teeth aren’t as bright as they would like.

    Unless you only drink water and eat colorless gelatin, your teeth are going to become stained over time. If yellowing teeth are a natural part of the human experience, why does it bother us so much? Well, our aversion to unsightly, stained teeth may have something to do with psychology.

    White, shiny teeth are perceived as healthier than teeth that are yellow or stained. When we see someone with stained teeth, we often form certain opinions about them. Whether these opinions are justified or not is another matter, but that prejudice can affect how we treat each other and how we view ourselves. Since whiter teeth encourage more positive thinking, people who whiten their teeth often report feeling higher selfesteem and confidence, and this can translate into amazing results in other areas of life.

    Improved Social Connections

    Who would you rather spend time with: someone who smiles and laughs freely or someone who never cracks a smile and rarely speaks up because they are embarrassed by their teeth? When we feel confident about our teeth, the way we carry ourselves and interact with others changes. This confidence carries over into job interviews and even first dates!

    Enhanced Mood

    In addition to improved confidence, having whiter teeth can increase feelings of happiness. When we don’t feel self-conscious about our smiles, we smile more. Smiling releases endorphins, so this act can create a feedback loop of even more happiness!

    Lower Risk of Oral Problems

    Individuals who whiten their teeth are more likely to maintain that bright shine for as long as possible through proper dental hygiene. Regular oral care is vital for preventing serious health risks like tooth decay and gum disease.

    During your next visit, don’t forget to ask about which whitening treatments we recommend. We can help you enjoy bright, beautiful teeth every day!

  • Toothbrush Hygiene

    Regular brushing with proper technique is the foundation of great oral health, but you shouldn’t discount the importance of toothbrush care. A musician would never take the stage with an out-of-tune trumpet, but many people try to clean their teeth with a toothbrush that’s in rough shape. Don’t let a broken instrument hamper your oral care. Here are a few tips for toothbrush maintenance.

    Buy a good toothbrush. There are dozens of toothbrushes on the shelf of your local pharmacy, but they’re not all created equal. Look for soft bristles and a head size that will fit your mouth comfortably. Even better, ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend a brand or model.

    When it comes to storing your toothbrush, limiting possible exposure to bacteria should be your primary concern. After brushing, thoroughly rinse your entire toothbrush (not just the head) under warm water to wash away any lingering plaque. Store your toothbrush upright so the bristles don’t come into contact with any surfaces. If you have multiple brushes in one location, make sure the heads do not touch. If you’re traveling, avoid airtight covers, as they tend to trap germs. It’s much better to buy a cheap toothbrush for your trip and throw it out when you head back home.

    Toothbrushes should be replaced as soon as the bristles begin to fray, which should be about once every three months. If you find that they are fraying much earlier than that, it probably means you are brushing too vigorously.

    Taking the time to maintain and replace your toothbrush can provide significant benefits for your oral care. After all, the best brushes create the best smiles, and that’s what we all want.

  • Stop the Recession! Why Your Gums Are Pulling Back

    You’re admiring your bright smile when you notice you can see more of that tooth than you used to. Wow, it really doesn’t feel good when you touch that spot! It’s painful, really, and very uncomfortable. What the heck? You’ve been brushing, flossing, and practicing the same oral hygiene you’ve known since childhood, and suddenly, your gums, which are usually there to protect your teeth, have moved!

    If you’ve experienced this phenomenon, you might be suffering from gum recession, and the underlying causes can sneak in even after proper care. The hard part is, some of us don’t have control over it. About 30 percent of people are predisposed to gum recession thanks to genetics. Ouch. The good news is, there are lifestyle changes you can make to protect the precious tissue that covers your teeth. With some work, you can reclaim control of your gum health.

    When we talk about gum recession, we don’t mean that gum tissue disappears. Instead, the tissue pulls away from your tooth. Your gum tissue is there to protect your teeth, and when something’s not quite right in other parts of your mouth, the sensitive tissue draws back.

    Your daytime habits are a factor in your gum’s health. Smoking and other tobacco use can lead to a host of dental issues, including gum recession. Misaligned teeth can also force your gums to pull away. If that’s the issue, it may be time to talk to an orthodontist.

    Sometimes, your nighttime habits are the cause. Clenching and grinding at night — or, in dental terminology, bruxism — puts extra pressure on your jaw and teeth that can lead to gum recession. If you’ve woken up with a headache or your partner has complained about how noisy you are at night, it’s possible you’re grinding or clenching your teeth.

    If your problem is clenching or grinding, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. The clenching is in response to your body’s struggle to get enough oxygen as you sleep. A simple sleep study might be able to diagnose sleep disruptions, and it may lead you to not only healthier gums, but a better night’s sleep. Your dentist may even be able to fit you for a dental appliance as an alternative to a bulky sleep apnea mask.

    Depending on the severity of recession, there are a range of treatment plans available to you, from an intensive cleaning of the area to more extensive surgical options that a gum specialist, or periodontist, may perform.

    Whatever the cause of your gum recession, talk with your dentist to find the best option for you.

  • What You Don’t Know About Sleep and Oral Health

    We all know brushing before bed is the key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. You may be surprised to learn, though, that what happens after you brush can make a huge difference as well. Sleep quality has a massive impact on oral health, in regards to both periodontal disease and bad breath.

    A study commissioned by the Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, led by Dr. Muneo Tanaka, sought to examine the influence of lifestyle factors on gum disease. They observed 219 patients over the course of four years, monitoring hours of sleep, hours of work, exercise, alcohol use, smoking, eating breakfast, overall diet, and physical and mental stress. When the results came back, only smoking was a bigger risk factor than lack of sleep. Those patients who had seven to eight hours of sleep fared much better than those with six or fewer.

    “This study points out to patients that there are lifestyle factors other than brushing and flossing that may affect their oral health,” says Preston D. Miller Jr., DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology.

    “It is also important to keep these in mind as the body of evidence linking oral disease with systemic diseases continues to grow, because ultimately, these factors might impact a patient’s overall health.” This connection is especially strong with periodontal disease. Heart surgeons have found the very same bacteria in clogged arteries as those in gums.

    Why does sleep matter so much? Well, it’s the time when your body restores itself. Your body needs to recover after strenuous exercise in order to get the most out of a workout, and the same is true for your mouth. At night, you’re more likely to breathe through your nose, which allows your mouth to produce more regenerative saliva. A good night’s sleep also lowers stress levels and regulates blood sugar.

    To make sure you’re getting the highest quality sleep, it’s important to establish a routine. The more your body clock can acclimate to a pattern of expected sleep, the less likely you will be to wake up in the middle of the night. Avoid eating right before bed, especially after you’ve brushed and flossed. Also, limit your screen time before bed to ensure a good night’s rest.

    Oral health is only one of the many benefits of getting more (and better) sleep. Rest up for increased focus, better memory, and brighter moods.

  • Floss Your Way to a Brighter 2018

    I’m guessing you’re probably thinking about your New Year’s resolutions right now. As you finalize your list of goals for the year, may I humbly suggest devoting one to doing something that can dramatically improve your oral health? You might assume I’m going to tell you to cut out sugar, but what I have in mind isn’t that drastic. Instead, it’s a simple, long-standing part of oral care that too many people ignore: flossing.

    Brushing without flossing is like washing your hands without scrubbing between your fingers. Even the most high-tech, expensive toothbrushes will not dislodge all of the plaque and bacteria from between your teeth.

    Flossing helps prevent bad breath and gum disease. Given that gum disease has been linked to conditions ranging from heart disease to diabetes, resolving to floss will benefit your overall health.

    Now that you know just how important flossing is, how can you make sure you do it regularly? To start, put floss in a readily available location. If you watch TV before bed, put some floss on your nightstand or next to the couch. You can also stick a few floss picks in your purse, so you have them in a pinch. Another great tactic is to stick a Post-it note on your bathroom mirror that reads, “FLOSS!”

    If you’re not a regular flosser, try to begin by flossing at least two or three times per week. From there, work your way up until you’re flossing once daily. Flossing after every brushing session is awesome, but once-daily flossing is enough to prevent the build up of nasty substances between your teeth.

    There’s no specific type or brand of floss that works best. Decide which you are most likely to use and go with that. Flossing may not be a dramatic resolution, but it can make a big difference when it comes to your oral health.

  • 2 Harmful Habits that Lead to Broken Teeth

    Do you know when most dental emergencies happen? I’ll give you a hint: “Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus.” That’s right — holiday season.

    Why is this? Well, the abundance of hard candy and popcorn between October and January wreaks havoc on your teeth. Often, when a broken tooth reaches emergency status, it’s actually already cracked. At that point, all it takes is a piece of hard food for it to reach breaking point. Fortunately, there are simple ways to improve your tooth health and prevent cracks during the holiday season.

    First, stop overindulging in sugary foods! Sugar breaks down your enamel, so the more you eat, the weaker your teeth become. Plaque builds up in your mouth whenever you consume food. The bacteria that make up plaque love sugar, and when they consume it, they produce a certain type of acid. This acid wears away healthy tooth enamel and eventually breaks down teeth. Even worse, if you already have a crack (even one you can’t see or feel), sticky, sugary foods will further irritate the area. And though it might seem like a healthy alternative, dried fruit is on this list of culprits — its dense sugars easily cling to your teeth.

    To combat this, make small changes to lower your sugar intake. Replace your daily soda with a cup of tea or sparkling water. Another beneficial change is switching from dried fruits to fresh ones.

    Sugar aside, you may have another addiction that harms your teeth. Are you a serial fingernail or ice chewer? Both can lead to cracked and broken teeth. If you aren’t looking to drop a vacation’s worth of dough on your dental visits, consider quitting — and quick. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates habitual nail biters will spend up to $4,000 more in dental bills over their lifetime.

    Finding a replacement routine for detrimental chewing habits is key to kicking the habit for good.

    Carry a pack of baby carrots to munch when you’re tempted to reach for your fingernails. You can also place a rubber band around your wrist and snap it when you reach for a nail to nibble. Each painful snap can serve as a reminder to stop your destructive habit.

    Talk with your dentist about other ways to strengthen your teeth and prevent breakage. After all, you want to spend your holidays in the easy chair, not the dentist’s!