The Other Health Benefits of Dental Care

Taking care of your oral health means more than just having a beautiful smile. The mouth is known to be ‘the gateway of the body’. Bacteria from the teeth and gums might do more damage to your overall health than you think. What are other advantages of oral health care, you ask?

 

1.     Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Gum disease produces chronic inflammation and this has been associated with development of certain cardiovascular problems including stroke, heart disease and blockage of blood vessels. The bacteria and plaque from periodontal diseases might enter the bloodstream through the gums. The bacteria can clog arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack.

2.     Lowers Risk of Infection and Inflammation

Various studies have found an association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation). Poor oral health has also known to cause the development of infection in other areas of the body.

 

3.     Lessens Risk of Cancer

Researchers have also found that men who had gum disease were 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer, 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer, and 30% more likely to develop blood cancer. Smokers, who are at the highest risk of such cancers, are less likely to visit a dentist.

4.     Decreases Risk of Premature Birth for Pregnant Women

Women might develop an infection during pregnancy, and one of the most common sites of infection is the mouth. Some studies made suggest that there’s a relationship between gum disease and premature birth. Brushing, flossing and the use of a non-alcohol antimicrobial mouthwash in pregnant women decrease the rate of premature deliveries.

5.     Preserves Memory

Early onset of Alzheimer’s disease can lead to a cause of tooth loss often seen due a decrease in overall dental health. The infection in the gums is found to release inflammatory substances which increase brain inflammation. This can cause neuronal (brain cell) death. Adults with gingivitis (inflamed gums) are said to perform worse on memory tests and other cognitive skills than those with healthier mouths.

 

Good dental practices do more good to the rest of your body, not only your teeth and gums. Regular trips to the dentist not only save your teeth, but overall health as well. If you are having any problems with your teeth or gums, it’s best to call our office as soon as possible to avoid more serious circumstances. 

Creating a More Confident Smile

Who doesn’t want to have a dazzling smile? We trust that everybody wants just that. Most people do not find their smiles beautiful enough, but that shouldn’t be the case. Contrary to popular belief, having a confident smile is totally up to the willingness of the beholder – that and proper oral health routines.

If you find it difficult to socialize with others because you have to talk, laugh and smile most of the time, then maybe it’s time to rethink of your oral health routines and practices.

It Starts Within

Pearly whites make all the difference, yes, but you have to make sure that all your other teeth are healthy as well. If you have damaged teeth that need treatment, you should work on those first. They might not be hurting now, but once they do start being sensitive, smiling would be the last thing on your mind.

Stick to a Healthy Routine

Brushing your teeth should never be skipped nor forgotten – no matter how busy you are. Keep in mind that our mouths are one of the dirtiest parts of our bodies. Ending the day without brushing your teeth is similar to sleeping with dirty clothes on.    

Keep It Sparkly

Most people with confident white smiles have had their teeth whitened. If you know you have sparkling whites to show, you are more likely to flaunt it than keep it hidden. Having perfect white teeth doesn’t come naturally.  Professional whitening systems at our office create dazzling white teeth!

Say No to Bad Breath

The most common reason for having foul-smelling breath is poor oral hygiene practices. Some people find it difficult to keep a conversation longer than 2 minutes because they are too conscious of their breath and other people smelling it.  Brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis helps you prevent this.

Replace Missing Ones

Losing our teeth can be very traumatic. Even if you take care of your teeth, certain circumstances might have caused you to have lost a tooth or two at some point. Don’t leave it like that.  Consider getting dental implants as soon as possible to restore your mouth and its ability to function well as well as for your own self-esteem.

Regularize Trips to the Dentist

Maintaining your teeth in the best condition is done with the help of a professional.  We are here to help and are well worth the time and commitment. 

Dealing With an Abscessed Tooth

 An abscess is an area of puss that forms as part of the body’s effort to fight a bacterial infection. It can form in almost any part of the body. In the mouth, abscesses form in the gums, teeth, or roots of the teeth. People with a lowered resistance to infection are most likely to develop an abscess.

Bacteria can enter and cause an abscess through:

1.     Trauma (food or any debris embedded deep in the gums)

2.     Decay (a cavity) leading into the tooth nerve and blood vessels (dental pulp)

3.     Deep gap (pocket) between the teeth and gums

An abscessed tooth usually delivers a throbbing pain that just won’t go away. The tooth will be sensitive to pressure from chewing, as well as heat. A swollen face or jaw often signals a growing infection, and jaw pain from the swelling might be present, as well. Most people develop a fever, and lymph nodes found under the jaw or in the neck area may swell and become tender. If the abscess accidentally breaks open, a sudden rush of foul-tasting and foul-smelling fluid will spill into your mouth.

Saving an abscessed tooth begins with draining the infection. The dentist will need to open up the tooth to drain the infection (puss) and there will be a need to fill the canal. This procedure is called root canal treatment. If there is no swelling present, the infection can be drained directly from the inside of the tooth.

The treatment for an abscessed tooth should be done as soon as possible. If the tooth cannot be saved, it should be extracted (removed). In doing this, the source of the infection is completely removed and the jawbone and gums are allowed to heal.

In children’s primary teeth, the treatment depends on the extent of infection. If the abscessed primary tooth is still in the early stages of infection and is not moving in the tooth socket, the infection is usually cleared out within the pulp chamber. The space would be filled with a paste such as zinc oxide eugenol. However, if the infection is advanced and has caused the tooth to move, the best thing to do is to extract the tooth.

During pregnancy, a dental abscess requires immediate attention to minimize further spread of the infection at the soonest possible time. Any risk of infection during pregnancy is a concern as the infection can be more severe in pregnant women and could be detrimental to the fetus.

If the abscess is found in the gums, the dentist might suggest that you rinse with warm salt water few times a day for several days. You might also be prescribed antibiotics to help kill the infection lessen the swelling.

Following a root canal treatment, the dentist usually requires a dental X-ray six months later to see whether healthy bone and tissue are filling the area of the abscess. If the bone does not fill in after the said treatment, a visit to the specialist is the next best step. 

How to Help Your Teething Infant

Do your baby’s cries keep you up in the middle of the night? Is he/she still crying even after you’ve just fed them, changed his diaper, and tried rocking him gently to sleep? Maybe he’s in distress. Maybe his tummy is aching

Or maybe… maybe your baby is teething.

Teething usually occurs somewhere between 2 and 12 months, or sometimes even later than that. The first few teeth might show with ease, but it could be a long, painful process. The pain is common because just like with an adult’s wisdom tooth, the teeth are pushing through the gums. That is the reason why there’s so much pain and swelling so be sure you know how to help ease the pain!

 

Signs and symptoms of teething include:

*reddish, swollen gums

*flushed cheeks or face

*gum-rubbing, biting or sucking

*heavy drooling

*rubbing his ear on the same side as an erupting tooth

*not eating as much as usual

*irritable, agitated

*sleepless at night, but wakeful during the day

*increased temperature and diarrhea (might be caused by something else, consult a doctor to be sure)

 

Putting pressure on your baby’s teeth by chewing may relieve the pain. However, your baby’s gums might be sensitive at this time so there’s a tendency for him to turn away from your breast or his bottle during the teething phase.

 

There are several ways to soothe your baby’s painful gums before resorting to teething gels and other pain relief products. As much as possible, you would want to ease the pain naturally. Try some of these tried and tested practices:

*Rub a clean finger gently over your baby’s sore gums to temporarily numb the pain.

*Get your baby a teething ring. It’s better to buy the solid, silicone-based teething ring rather than the liquid-filled ones as the latter could leak. Before giving the teething ring, put it in the fridge for that cooling effect. Do not put it in the freezer as that could hurt your baby’s gums. Avoid teething necklaces as they are hazardous to babies.

*Offer cold drinks and cold food. For babies over six months, a bottle of icy cold water can be a relief for painful gums. You can also give ice-free water in a cup. For food, chilled yogurt, applesauce and blended peaches can be your options, as long as food has already been introduced to your baby.

*Never use rubbing alcohol on your baby’s gums. Parents should also avoid any herbal or homeopathic natural teething meds as those can contain ingredients that cause heart problems and drowsiness.

*Comfort – lots and lots of extra hugs, kisses and patience are required for our little ones throughout this painful process.

 

If you would opt to go for pain relief medicines or products, it is best to always consult your paediatrician first. Since you’re dealing with babies, it is not advisable to have them take medicines without prescription from a medical professional. 

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Not everyone is concerned with having healthy teeth or worried about losing a tooth or two. However, replacing a missing tooth is the right way to go. Failure to do so might result to your other teeth moving or loss of chewing function, as well.

It is common for dentists to recommend having dental implants for damaged or missing teeth, but the real question is, what are the benefits?

 

Closest to Natural Teeth

Dental implants are artificial teeth roots that are placed into one’s jaw to hold replacement teeth. Although it is artificial, technology allows these implants to look, fit, feel and function like natural teeth. One of the downsides of losing teeth is people also lose their self-esteem and self-confidence. With dental implants, however, you can eat, speak and smile just like anyone else!

 

A Long-Term Solution

Alternate options include dental crowns and tooth bridges (fixed prosthetic devices that are cemented onto existing teeth). These usually last a minimum of 5 to 7 years, and often last more than 10 years, given the proper care. At some point, however, they would still need to be replaced. Dental implants, on the other hand, may need some adjustments from time-to-time, but can definitely last a lifetime when properly taken care of and put to place.

 

Smile like a Champion

You no longer have to worry about covering your smile in public because of a missing tooth or teeth. When someone loses a tooth, the face usually sags and might appear sad-looking. With dental implants, your face would be brought back to its natural shape.

 

No Food Limitations

Dental implants also give you the freedom to enjoy all the foods you love without having to worry about losing your teeth again. You can bite just as you did when you had natural teeth. Unlike having removable dentures, you can be sure to have the full taste of the food you eat with dental implants.

 

No More Cavities

Cavities can no longer occur in dental implants. However, gum disease still can so, following the scheduled visits to the dentist is still a must. Proper care and cleaning for the implants, your gums and mouth on a daily basis is still needed, just like with natural teeth.

 

No Falling Teeth

The common problem with dentures is the fact that they may slip while you’re eating, smiling, laughing, coughing, or worse – talking. Avoid having that public humiliation as dental implants or bridges are fixed in place.

 

Proven to be More Reliable

Dental implant treatment has proved itself to be reliable as there are many success stories by patients all around the world. It is often considered to be more predictable than other treatments when it comes to repair or replacing missing tooth or teeth. 

Dentistry and Other Medical Conditions – Part 2

On our website we have an informative article about medical conditions that can affect your teeth and that your dentist might be able to help with.  For more information on conditions like diabetes, oral cancer, bulimia and anorexia nervosa you should consult Part 1.  In this blog post we’ll take a look at some other medical issues that can have an impact on your oral health.

Temporomandibular Disorder

The temporomandibular is a name for the joints and muscles around the jaw that let us chew, swallow, and speak.   When there issues with this area it may be indicative of temporomandibular disorder or TMD.  Symptoms include tender or saw jaw muscles, issues opening and closing your mouth, headaches, or clicking when you chew or yawn.  Your dentist can help by examining you and treating your TMD possibly with a specially designed appliance custom made for you.  

Anemia

Anemia is a disorder in which your red blood cells don’t contain enough of the iron-rich protein hemoglobin or less of them are produced than is normal.  This means your body may not get the oxygen it needs through the bloodstream which could result in serious medical issues including heart failure.  It has oral effects as well including a higher risk of periodontitis, pale mouth tissue, or an inflammation of the tongue.  If you have anemia it is vital to let your dentist know since some forms could carry higher risk of infection and your dentist may need to prescribe antibiotics  (in severe cases) before performing any procedures to minimize that risk.

Thyroid Problems

Your thyroid produces and regulates many very important hormones in the body and conditions that affect it can disrupt the functionality of organs and various bodily systems.  In terms of oral care thyroid problems carry a greater risk of gum disease since it can inhibit the body’s ability to heal.  Additionally, dry mouth can be caused which may result in a greater chance of cavities.  The tongue may also be afflicted through enlargement or a distorted sense of taste.  Make sure to inform your dentist of any thyroid problems to ensure they know how to best deal with your particular issues.

There are many medical issues that can have a serious impact on dental and oral health and these are just few more.  If you have any questions regarding the impact of an illness you may have or are looking to solve some unrelated dental issues contact Pickering Square Dental today.

ROOT CANAL: Three Important Factors behind Effective Root Canal Therapy

For those patients with an infection in the root of their tooth, root canal therapy might be the only viable course of treatment in order to save your tooth.  It offers the optimal chance for successful treatment of the tooth in the long-term. In this blog, we’ll analyze the three important factors behind effective root canal therapy.  

1. Timing of Root Canal

It’s essential that a root canal is completed the moment that any infection is discovered within the tooth. Timing is a critical factor in this form of treatment. Dentists that find an infection within the tooth are often able to complete the treatment effectively with the patient suffering fewer side-effects. This means patients must visit their local dentist immediately if they experience any lasting tooth and gum sensitivity. Prompt diagnosis can help ensure a short limited treatment period and a better outcome.

2 Effective Placement of the Crown

One of the leading causes of failure within root canal therapy treatment is the improper time placement of the crown. After a root canal has been completed, the interior of the tooth often becomes brittle and weak. That’s because the pulp within the tooth is removed, leaving the interior exposed to pressure. Most professionals will advise that the placement of a crown is completed in the weeks after a root canal therapy. The timing of crown placement is important, as patients that wait too long to undergo the crown procedure might suffer a fractured tooth in the meantime.

3. The Type of Tooth

Another important factor that can impact the success and the complexity of the procedure is the tooth on which the root canal therapy is performed.  Our team of skilled and caring Dentists performs root canal therapy treatments routinely.  Whether you’ve had an accident, fractured a tooth or the tooth has become infected and requires a root canal we’re always here to provide preventative treatment to restore your teeth.  

Successful root canal therapy can help patients maintain their teeth and achieve comfort over many years. Speak with one of our trusted team members directly to learn more about the factors affecting root canal therapy success. 

The Benefits of Laser Technology for Gum Disease and Infection Treatments

Laser technology is quickly being adopted as a means to provide a more comfortable and faster healing experience.  But for many patients, the benefits of the procedures are largely misunderstood. Having a full understanding on the processes involved in treatment and how treatment with laser technology can benefit them in the long-term, can ensure patients select their ideal treatment option. This blog will help clear some of the confusion and explain the many treatment advantages of using lasers in resolving gum disease and infections.

Lasers Help Limit Bleeding

In many cases of gingivitis patients may notice severe bleeding from the gums and go on to have bone loss. It is extremely important to remove bacteria from the teeth and the gingival pockets (gums) around the teeth.  Lasers are now being added to traditional treatments because they have the advantage of not only removing bacteria but in fact, it killing them.  This will help in reducing the amount of bleeding and swelling and may alleviate further comprehensive treatment such as gum surgery. 

Laser Treatments Can be Optimized

Another leading benefit of laser treatments is they can be optimized for the patient. Different wavelengths and power levels can be used to treat varying levels of periodontal disease. This provides the Dentist with the ultimate control over the procedure and ensures the patient has a treatment that has been uniquely designed for their long-term requirements. This greater level of control also empowers the Dentist in crafting a treatment plan for the patient that may vary in intensity over many months. This can help ensure effective treatment while mitigating discomfort in the process.

Lasers Help Preserve Health Teeth during Cavity Removal

Due to the precise nature of laser treatments, specialists can now use the technology to preserve healthy parts of teeth during the cavity removal process. For those with particularly severe bacterial infections, saving parts of healthy teeth during the cavity treatment process can help ensure stronger outcomes in the long-term.

Lasers treatment systems are changing the way that many common dental procedures are completed. To speak with one of our specialists about the many advantages these systems can offer.