Back To Basics Believe it or not, brushing your teeth is one of the simplest ways to help maintain your overall health. How Dental Health Connects To Your Overall Health This is because dental health is more connected to overall health than most people realize. In fact, doctors and scientists continue to find associations between oral disease and other diseases. Some researchers think that bacteria in the mouth - when they build up and cause inflammation and infection - can contribute to an increased risk of illness or disease elsewhere in the body. Oral Health and Overall Health When you have clean teeth and healthy gums, there are fewer bad bacteria to enter your bloodstream and travel to other parts of your body. But an invasive oral surgery, certain medications, or untreated gum disease due to poor oral hygiene could allow these bacteria to spread. Researchers continue to study the links between oral health and overall health.
Health The bottom line: You can help protect and promote your overall health by maintaining good dental health. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once a day. Available For You These days, so many products are available to help you maintain clean teeth that there is no excuse to avoid good dental care. For example, if your gums are sensitive, in general or due to a recent illness or other medical condition, don't neglect your oral health. Try using an interdental cleaner or an electric flosser (such as the Oral-B Hummingbird) to make dental care more comfortable. And you may want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid gum irritation. If you have questions about what products are right for you, ask your dentist or dental hygienist. The above article is from: OralB.com
Calcium And Vitamin C Promote Oral Health Eating a variety of nutritious food is good for your overall health, including your oral health. Some vitamins in particular have demonstrated benefits to building healthy teeth, namely calcium and vitamin C, so be sure to include foods rich in these nutrients in your diet. Calcium has been shown to help build strong teeth, and vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that also plays an important role in collagen synthesis, by which it helps you develop and maintain healthy gums.
Calcium: Dairy products, including milk, yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium. Many physicians recommend 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium daily for most adults, so you may want to consider a calcium supplement, especially if dairy products aren’t a regular part of your diet. Also, try switching to low-sugar or sugar-free varieties of yogurt, since sugar (and bacteria) can promote tooth decay.
Vitamin C: Many fruits and vegetables including berries, oranges and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables including broccoli and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C.
Of course, in addition to eating right, it’s important to follow a consistent dental care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to promote oral health. And be sure to see your dental professional regularly and talk to them if you have questions about how your diet might affect your oral health. The above article is from: OralB.com
The Cost Of Dental Treatments If you develop complications from tooth decay and gum disease, you may be dealing with bills for anything from fillings or crowns to more costly and complicated procedures such as root canals or oral surgery to extract damaged teeth and place dental implants. The Costs Vary The costs of dental treatments vary. For example, the cost of a root canal will depend on the location of the tooth and how many canals are in the tooth that needs the root canal treatment. The Cost of Oral Hygiene By comparison, the cost of basic oral hygiene and preventive teeth cleaning is low. A toothbrush should be replaced every three months or when it appears worn, but that’s just a few dollars. The same goes for dental floss, whether you prefer specialized floss, such as Oral-B’s Ultra Floss, or standard floss. Points To Remember Also, don’t forget that most dental plans cover at least one, and sometimes two, checkups and cleanings per year at little or no cost to you. It’s better to make and keep those appointments, even if you don’t think you have problems with your teeth or oral hygiene, in order to identify and manage potential problems before costly care is required. Remember that your dentist is your partner in oral health, and be sure to keep him or her informed about medications you take and changes in your overall health so your oral hygiene can be tailored accordingly to maximize your health benefits. Some types of medications (including anti-depressants and some heart medications) increase your risk for gingivitis, so be sure to let your dentist know if you start taking any new medication, even if you don’t think it will affect your oral health. The above article is from: OralB.com Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
Implants Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. Surgically placed in the upper or lower jaw, they function as a sturdy anchor for replacement teeth. Made of titanium and other materials, implants are designed to hold restorations like crowns or bridges blend in with your other teeth, and are a long-term option for restoring your smile. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
Braces While orthodontic work that begins while a child is growing helps produce optimal results, that doesn’t mean that adults can’t have braces. Thanks to advances in orthodontic treatments, metal brackets are not your only option. Removable aligners, or invisible braces,î or clear plastic brackets can all be used to straighten crooked or crowded teeth. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
Bonding Not happy with the way your teeth look? Bonding may be the answer. For some, it can help restore the natural look of your teeth. Bonding is a process where the dentist attaches or “bonds” materials directly to your tooth. Your natural tooth enamel and dentin are fused together with bonding materials such as porcelain and resins to create a strong structure that looks great. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
Veneers Veneers are thin shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. Unlike bonding, it is necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your tooth to accommodate the shell. Based on a model of your mouth, they are meant to look like your natural teeth. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
Crowns A crown is a good way to cover teeth that are discolored or badly shaped. A crown can make your tooth stronger and improve its appearance. Crowns can also be used to attach bridges, protect a weak tooth from breaking or restore one that’s already broken. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
Whitening When it comes to getting a whiter and brighter smile, there are a variety of teeth-whitening products you can try. Your main options are in-office and at-home bleaching. Before starting any whitening treatment, you should speak with your dentist. Your dentist will tell you what, if any, whitening procedures will work best for you. The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
How To Get Rid Of Cold Sores It’s easy to get them confused, but cold sores are not the same as canker sores. Cold sores are red blisters that appear on the lips as a result of infection with the herpes simplex virus. They almost never occur inside the mouth and they are not associated with gum disease. By contrast, canker sores, which are not associated with herpes or gum disease, almost always occur inside the mouth. Usually, cold sores last for seven to 10 days, after which time the pus-filled blisters will rupture and ooze. Fortunately, cold sores usually heal without leaving scars. Most cold sores will resolve without treatment, but you can apply a topical medication such as lidocaine or benzyl alcohol to relieve pain and itching. If you develop a cold sore, avoid skin-to-skin contact. And don’t share razors, eating utensils, or towels-those are other ways the infection spreads to other people. If you have frequent cold sores, or a cold sore that doesn’t go away after seven to 10 days, talk to your doctor. It can be hard to reduce the risk of cold sores, but it certainly won’t hurt to maintain a consistent personal hygiene routine including regular hand washing. Also, using a lip balm with sun block throughout the year, not just during the summer, can help prevent cold sores, too. The above article is from: OralB.com Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
What Is Oral Thrush? Oral thrush, also known as candidiasis, can occur in anyone of any age, from babies to the elderly. Oral thrush is a condition that occurs when a fungus called candida albicans builds up on the lining of the mouth. The result is white lesions on the tongue or inner cheeks. Oral thrush can sometimes be confused with leukoplakia. But leukoplakia lesions are caused by chronic irritation from rough edges on teeth, fillings or crowns, not by an organism. And leukoplakia lesions develop over time, while thrush lesions may develop suddenly. A thrush infection can spread and involve the roof of the mouth and the gums, where it can cause symptoms such as redness and irritation. See your dentist if you have any type of lesions on your tongue or in your mouth so you can determine the cause of the problem and plan a course of treatment. The goal in treating thrush is to stop the infection from spreading. Healthy babies and children may not need treatment-the lesions may resolve on their own. Sometimes adding yogurt to you or your child’s diet may do the trick and reset the bacterial imbalance caused by the excess amount of the thrush fungus. People with HIV or other immunosuppressive illness are at increased risk for the infection to spread. If you are in this category, your doctor or dentist may recommend an antifungal medication. To prevent thrush from occurring or recurring, follow a consistent oral health care routine, and try to include yogurt with live, active cultures in your diet, especially if you take antibiotics for a chronic condition. Frequent use of antibiotics can promote the growth of the Candida fungus because they upset the natural mixture of microorganisms in the body. The above article is from: OralB.com Dentist Sarasota FL Joshua Colkmire, DDS 2924 University Parkway Sarasota FL. 34243 (941) 359-2151 http://jcdentist.com/
