Annapolis Dental Center
Friday, February 10, 2017
Monday, February 8, 2016
Why is Oral Health Important?
Men are less likely
than women to take care of their physical health and, according to
surveys and studies, their oral health is equally ignored. Good oral
health recently has been linked with longevity. Yet, one of the most
common factors associated with infrequent dental checkups is just being
male. Men are less likely than women to seek preventive dental care and
often neglect their oral health for years, visiting a dentist only when a
problem arises. When it comes to oral health, statistics show that the
average man brushes his teeth 1.9 times a day and will lose 5.4 teeth by
age 72. If he smokes, he can plan on losing 12 teeth by age 72. Men are
also more likely to develop oral and throat cancer and periodontal
(gum) disease.
Why is periodontal disease a problem?
Periodontal
disease is a result of plaque, which hardens into a rough, porous
substance called tartar. The acids produced and released by bacteria
found in tartar irritate gums. These acids cause the breakdown of fibers
that anchor the gums tightly to the teeth, creating periodontal pockets
that fill with even more bacteria. Researchers have found a connection
between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, which can place people
at risk for heart attacks and strokes. See your dentist if you have any
of these symptoms:
- Bleeding gums during brushing
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Loose or separating teeth
Article Retrieved from: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=m&iid=312&aid=1266
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Tobacco Use and Your Oral Health
Tobacco Use and Your Oral Health
- By Connie Brichford | Medically reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH
It's
no secret that smoking is bad for your overall health but using tobacco
products can have serious consequences on your oral health, too.
In addition to affecting your overall
health, tobacco use and smoking can cause a number of oral health issues,
ranging from oral cancer to discolored teeth.
“You can get yellow teeth [and] a
yellow tongue," says Thomas Kilgore, DMD, professor of oral and
maxillofacial surgery and associate dean at the Boston University Henry M.
Goldman School of Dental Medicine. "You see a lot of staining on the
tongue.”
Smoking and tobacco use can lead to
more serious oral health complications as well, including gum disease and oral
cancer.
Smoking and Oral Cancer
“The most serious issue is mouth
cancer,” Dr. Kilgore says. “It’s hard to say what percentage of people who
smoke will get mouth cancer, but the death rate of those who do get it is high
— between 40 and 50 percent of all cases, and that hasn’t changed over the last
few decades.”
The American Cancer Society
estimates that 90 percent of people with oral cancer (cancer affecting the
lips, tongue, throat, and mouth) have used tobacco in some form. Likewise, the
risk of oral cancer is six times higher among smokers relative to non-smokers.
Your individual risk of oral cancer depends on how long you’ve been using
tobacco — the longer you use it, the greater your risk.
Smoking and Periodontal Disease
“Smoking cigarettes doesn’t cause
dental decay, but it does cause periodontal, or gum, disease,” Kilgore
explains. “Bone loss is part of periodontal disease. It starts out as
inflammation of the gums. In the natural and unfortunate progression, the bone
supporting the roots of your teeth becomes inflamed,” and then the underlying
bone can deteriorate, he adds.
“There are surgical and nonsurgical
therapies to reverse or slow the progression of periodontal disease,” Kilgore
says, but without proper treatment, gum disease does eventually lead to tooth
loss and jawbone damage. One study found that smoking was associated with more
than 50 percent of periodontal disease cases.
For Oral Health, No Tobacco Is Safe
People often think that different
forms of tobacco are "safer" than others. However, says Kilgore,
“Tobacco in any form has risks. It’s hard to figure out which is worse” — when
tobacco is chewed, smoked, or inhaled.
The bottom line is that regular
exposure to tobacco in any form can compromise your health. Kilgore points out
that “pipe smokers may not smoke very often, but they can [still] get cancer of
the lips, as they’re always holding the pipe in the same place on the lip.”
Additionally, “there’s a myth that chewing tobacco has less risk, but it’s been
shown pretty clearly that this isn’t true.”
And people who use smokeless
(chewing) tobacco are at a four to six time greater risk of oral cancer than
people who don't use tobacco at all. People who use smokeless tobacco are also
at higher risk of tooth decay and cavities because some varieties of chewing
tobacco contain sugar for a sweeter taste, and sugar is a primary cause of
tooth decay.
Protecting Your Oral Heath
The following three principles can
help to ensure good oral health throughout the years:
- Quit smoking. After you’ve quit smoking, your risk of oral health problems decreases significantly. And the longer you remain a non-smoker, the lower your risk becomes. A decade after you’ve quit, your risk for periodontal disease is similar to that of a person who never smoked at all. “A lot of dentists now are taking the initiative to ask patients about their smoking habits, and are talking about the [nicotine] patch” and other ways to help people quit, Kilgore says.
- Get regular dental checkups. As with most cancers, early detection can improve your outcome. “The good news is that regular checkups by a dentist are a good way to catch oral cancer early,” advises Kilgore. “Any mouth ulcers can be checked out with a biopsy, and you can get a diagnosis.” The sooner you start treatment, the better your odds of survival.
- Brush properly. “Most people who have periodontal disease develop it from not brushing and flossing properly,” Kilgore notes. The heat and carcinogens found in cigarettes and tobacco are also damaging to your mouth and gums. So people who use tobacco need to be doubly careful about brushing and flossing correctly and doing so as often as recommended. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist to watch you brush and floss to make sure you’re doing a thorough job.
Having Trouble Quitting? Visit the
Dentist Regularly
If you do use tobacco, cutting back
and eventually quitting are some of the most important actions you can take to
improve both your oral health and your overall health.
Tobacco use “is a tremendously
addictive habit, so in the meantime, regular dental visits can help with early
detection” of gum disease and precancerous mouth sores, Kilgore says. He adds
that the people at greatest risk for oral cancer are chronic smokers who don’t
visit their dentists regularly. “By the time oral cancer is detected, it’s hard
to treat," he says. Plus, the treatments can be more challenging at later
stages. Surgery and radiation treatments are often disfiguring and can affect
your ability to speak and eat.
Talk to your dentist or general
doctor about what can help you to kick your smoking and other tobacco habits
today.
Retrieved from: http://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health/101/dont-smoke.aspx
Friday, March 20, 2015
Are You Biting Off More Than You Can Chew?
In our fast-paced lives, many of us may be eating in a hurry, taking giant bites of our food to get done quickly and on to the next task. Fast-food restaurants advertise giant burgers and sandwiches as a selling point, but often those super-sized delicacies are larger than a human mouth.
Taking bites that are too big to chew could be bad for your jaw and teeth, says the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education. At particular risk are people with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which can restrict the range of acceptable bite size. "People with TMD need to avoid opening their mouths too wide," says AGD spokesperson Barbara A. Rich, DDS, FAGD. "Taking large bites of food can aggravate their condition." So, smoosh that hoagie before taking a bite.
Dr. Rich also cautions against biting into hard candies, which can chip teeth. Even apples can cause problems. "If you need to open your mouth more than feels comfortable to take a bite, then you should cut the item into smaller portions that are easy to chew," Dr. Rich says.
People should always avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and opening nuts with their teeth, which can lead to chipping and breakage of natural teeth and restorations.
Retrieved from: http://ow.ly/KC0nL
Taking bites that are too big to chew could be bad for your jaw and teeth, says the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education. At particular risk are people with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which can restrict the range of acceptable bite size. "People with TMD need to avoid opening their mouths too wide," says AGD spokesperson Barbara A. Rich, DDS, FAGD. "Taking large bites of food can aggravate their condition." So, smoosh that hoagie before taking a bite.
Dr. Rich also cautions against biting into hard candies, which can chip teeth. Even apples can cause problems. "If you need to open your mouth more than feels comfortable to take a bite, then you should cut the item into smaller portions that are easy to chew," Dr. Rich says.
People should always avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and opening nuts with their teeth, which can lead to chipping and breakage of natural teeth and restorations.
Retrieved from: http://ow.ly/KC0nL
Friday, January 30, 2015
"Are Sugar-Free Foods Good For Your Teeth? Not So Fast…"
The Best Foods for Healthy Teeth
Cleaning your teeth is essential for healthy teeth, but did
you know that the kind of foods you eat can also help — or hinder — your dental
health? Eating foods that are good for your teeth and being cautious about
those that aren’t is key to having a healthy smile.
Foods for healthy teeth
How you eat is also important. In a study from King's
College London Dental Institute, researchers looked at more than 1,000 men and
women between the ages of 18 and 30 for links between diet and tooth erosion.
They found that eating high-acid foods (such as fruits and their juices)
throughout the day can harm a person’s teeth if no effort is made to counteract
the effects.
Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth
Enamel is a tooth’s first defense against decay. If the
enamel on your teeth is eroded or damaged, you’re at higher risk for tooth
sensitivity and cavities. You can help strengthen your tooth enamel by eating
foods high in calcium. Also, adding foods rich in vitamin D to your diet will
allow you to better absorb the calcium that healthy teeth need.
The best choices for healthy teeth are foods with:
Calcium. Low-fat
or fat-free dairy products such as milk, cheese, and plain yogurt are calcium
staples that don’t add unhealthy saturated fat to your diet. Hard cheese in
particular also helps neutralize the acids found in foods that threaten tooth
enamel. Other good sources of calcium are green leafy vegetables like kale, bok
choy, and even Brussels sprouts, which deliver a healthy boost of vitamin C,
too.
Vitamin D. Egg
yolks, mushrooms, and most fish are excellent sources of the vitamin D you need
to absorb calcium, which builds and maintains healthy teeth.
Vitamin C. Red
peppers and sweet potatoes can provide the vitamin C necessary for healthy
gums, which help keep your teeth firmly in place. Citrus fruits like oranges
are also high in vitamin C, but you have to be careful of their acidity.
A healthy crunch.
The crisp texture of crunchy fruits and vegetables can help wipe away
plaque-causing bacteria on your teeth. They can also increase the production of
saliva, which helps neutralize bacteria in your mouth. Apples, pears, celery,
and carrots are all good choices. However, even a healthy food like an apple
can expose teeth to damaging acid when eaten slowly. To reduce the impact of
acid, brush your teeth before eating and drink water or rinse immediately
after.
Bad Foods for Your Teeth
After you eat, plaque — the sticky film of bacteria that
covers your teeth — release acids that break down the enamel on your teeth.
Foods that are high in acid can cause your tooth enamel to erode the most, so
these foods should be eaten in moderation to minimize damage to your teeth.
Foods that aren’t good for your teeth include:
Hard or sticky
candy. When you suck on hard candies, the candy is left in your mouth for a
long time, which means extended exposure to sugar and damaging acid. Sticky
candies are also a problem because the sugar sticks to your teeth.
Carbohydrates.
Foods such as white breads, pastas, and potato chips are processed as sugar
when digested. And food particles from these carbs tend to linger by sticking
in the grooves of teeth, creating a breeding ground for acid.
Soda and fruit
juices. Be especially cautious of sipping them over a lengthy period of time,
which promotes prolonged exposure to sugar and acid.
Too much citrus.
Oranges, kiwis, lemons, and grapefruit are great sources of vitamin C for
healthy gums, but they’re also high in enamel-damaging acid. Enjoy these foods
in moderation to minimize their impact on your teeth.
Hard foods. Peanut
brittle, hard pretzels, and ice may offer a satisfying crunch, but they also
carry the risk of damage to your teeth. Munching on hard food creates extra
pressure and friction that can chip or crack teeth.
Foods that leave
stains. Coffee, tea, and red wine are notorious stain-makers. While tooth
stains aren’t harmful, they can become difficult to remove if these foods are
consumed in excess. Brushing too hard or using harsh products to remove these
stains can damage your teeth and gums.
The Good News on Food and Healthy Teeth
It can be hard to give up a food that you crave, but you
don’t have to stop eating sugary and acidic foods altogether. Domenick T. Zero,
DDS, director of the Oral Health Research Institute, and professor and chairman
of the department of Preventive and Community Dentistry at Indiana University
School of Dentistry, explains that any food can be decay-causing if you don’t
routinely practice good oral hygiene.
If you crave something that contains sugar — including fruit
— here’s what you can do:
Enjoy it in
moderation.
Eat it with other
kinds of foods to help neutralize the acid.
Drink water to
help wash away bacteria and any remaining food particles.
It’s also important to clean your teeth after eating.
However, wait 30 minutes to an hour after you have an acidic food or beverage
because the acid weakens your tooth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible
to damage from brushing. Another option is to chew a piece of sugar-free gum
for 20 minutes to reduce plaque buildup. Following these strategies will help
keep your teeth healthy and smile-ready.
At Annapolis Dental Center we care about your health! If you
have any questions about this or any other dental issues, or would like to make
an appointment for a dental exam call 410-571-5014 or check us out at
Annapolisdentalcenter.com.
Article retrieved from: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-report/dental-health-guide/best-foods-for-healthy-teeth.aspx
Friday, December 12, 2014
Are You Brushing Your Teeth Properly? Somebody’s Watching…
Are You Brushing Your Teeth Properly? Somebody’s Watching…
What Does Your Mouth Say About Your Overall Health?
Living in a fast-paced society where fast food seems to
dominate the food chain can mean a great deal for oral health – and poor food
choices can even have a negative effect on teeth. In fact, in order for the
body's tissues to resist infection and for teeth to remain healthy, minerals
and nutrients are essential in a person's diet. The presence of too much or too
little of any nutrient can have harmful effects, particularly on the mouth and
teeth, and may contribute to oral diseases and infection, according to an
article in the March 2007 issue of AGD Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy
of General Dentistry (AGD).
Poor nutrition affects the entire immune system, increasing
susceptibility to many common disorders. People with lowered immune systems
have been shown to be at higher risk for periodontal disease. Additionally,
research shows a link between oral health and systemic conditions, such as
diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
"Deficiencies in vitamins can cause poor tissue
connectivity which can allow for tissue breakdown and subsequent invasion by
bacteria," says AGD President-Elect Paula Jones, DDS, FAGD and AGD
spokesperson. "With the additional
factor of poor oral health care, the situation can be exacerbated and exhibit
as a more severe case of periodontal disease since nutritional deficiencies can
compromise the immune system."
Patients can improve their oral health and reduce the risk
of periodontal disease by eating a balanced diet based on the well-known food
guide pyramid, which recommends eating a variety of foods from the five food
groups-grain, fruit, vegetables, milk and meat.
In addition, Dr. Jones explains, "A diet rich in dark,
leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits helps the body to have adequate C and B
vitamins," Dr. Jones explains. "Limited amounts of sunshine help the
body to produce Vitamin D, which is necessary for the absorption of calcium,
which helps to build strong bones and teeth."
Eating a variety of foods as part of a well-balanced diet
may not only improve dental health, but increasing fiber and vitamin intake may
reduce the risk of other diseases.
What foods may be bad for your mouth?
Carbohydrates:
Chips, bread, pasta, or crackers can be as harmful to the teeth as candy.
Sticky, chewy
foods: Raisins, granola bars, jelly beans, caramel, honey and syrup stick to
teeth and make it difficult to wash the sugar away.
Sugary snacks:
Cookies, cakes or other desserts contain a high amount of sugar, which can
cause tooth decay.
Gum and candy:
When chewing gum and eating candy, the sugar coats teeth, which can lead to
cavities.
Carbonated soft
drinks: Regular and diet sodas contain phosphorous and carbonation, which wears
away the enamel on teeth.
Fruit or vegetable
juices: These beverages tend to be high in sugar, which can damage tooth enamel
and lead to decay.
Retrieved from: http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=N&iid=315&aid=3153
Thank You
A message to our entire new patient of 2014.
We are delighted to have you as a new patient. We extend our sincere thanks for the opportunity
to meet your dental needs. We looked
forward to a new continued relationship with you. Welcome to our practice, and Happy
Holidays.
Thank you
Dr. Dele.
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