Dental

Vitamin C and Dental Health

shfr — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:40:45 +0000

Lack of Vitamin C increases the rate of periodontal disease. Vitamin C has been indicated to help in maintaining integrity of bone, connective tissue, and the teeth. The antioxidant properties help boost the immune system. The dosage for an average adult is 60 mg or one orange daily. People that use tobacco need to have a larger dose of vitamin C-due to the nicotine lowering their immune system. Diet plays an important role in the overall well-being of oral health.

Natural Remedies

shfr — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:28:44 +0000

Natural Remedies or Holistic treatment is it safe? Natural,herbal, alternative or holistic remedies can be another way to prevent or treat your body. Just like there is many prescription medications available, there is a wide variety of “natural” medicines available over the counter. Some of these products have some active ingredients. It is important that you are aware that you must pick the correct product for your condition and you must follow the proper label instructions. The Food and Drug Administration currently does not have standards for evaluating dosage levels or ingredients in herbal supplements, but it can legally prevent supplement manufacturers from claiming their products can cure disease. Improper use of these natural remedies can be dangerous .First, get an accurate diagnosis from your healthcare provider, to uncover the source of your symptoms, before you go in search of an herbal or natural cure.

Toothpaste and Canker Sores

shfr — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:13:35 +0000

Is your toothpaste causing your canker sores? An ingredient, sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS has been known to cause irritation in some patients. SLS is the ingredient that produces the foaming in your toothpaste product. It has been known to cause some drying of the oral lining in the mouth, leading to mouth irritation. If you find this to be a problem for you, there are products available that do not have this ingredient.

Halitosis

shfr — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:05:57 +0000

Halitosis or bad breath may not only bother you, but also other people. Halitosis can also be a sign of an underlying health problem. It is caused by the bacteria in your mouth and produces a sulfur enviroment. How do you know if you have bad breath? If you are to embarrassed to ask a family member, you can floss your teeth and then smell the floss. If it has an odor, than you are fighting halitosis. The best way to control this condition is to have good oral hygiene. Removing the bacteria on a daily basis, usually eliminates the problem. Also, using a tongue scraper to cleanse the tongue will help. People that use tobacco will have more trouble with this condition as the nicotine is a chemical irritant. Mouthwashes may help some, but only temporarily remove the odor. If you have excellant oral hygiene and still are bothered with halitosis, you may have an underlying health condition. Systemic conditions can produce acid that is exposed thru the oral cavity. Visit your dental professional for any concerns.

Three Stages of Gum Disease

shfr — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:41:02 +0000

There are three stages of gum disease. Gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Your gum tissue may feel sore and you may notice bleeding when you brush and floss. Gingivitis can be reversed by having proper treatment by a dental professional and proper homecare. This is the only stage of gum disease that can be reversed. Periodontitis involves the plaque bacteria spreading to the root surfaces. This infection damages the bone and fibers that support the teeth. The gum tissue actually starts pulling away from the teeth. Proper dental treatment is especially important in treating this stage of disease. Advanced periodontitis is the final stage of gum disease. At this stage of the disease, most of the bone and supporting fibers have been destroyed. If treatment can’t save the teeth, they will have to be extracted.

How do I know if I have gum disease?

shfr — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:30:35 +0000

Gum disease is the inflammation of the tissue surrounding your teeth. Advanced gum disease can lead to tooth loss. How do you know if you have gum disease? One of the first warning signs of gum disease is tissue that bleeds. Red, puffy or swollen tissue is also a sign. Gum tissue that appears to have pulled away from the teeth. Changes in how your teeth fit together. Pus that accumulates at the gumline.A bad taste or bad breath is a good indicator that the disease is active. To find out if you have gum disease, your dentist or hygienist will perform an evaluation of your oral health. X-rays and a periodontal screening exam will determine if any disease is present and how severe. In early detection, gum disease can sometimes be reversed. See your dentist for regular recares to maintain your oral health.

What is gum disease?

shfr — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:23:59 +0000

What is gum disease? Gum disease is an inflammation of the soft tissue around your teeth. It is caused by the bacteria in plaque, a sticky, colorless film that forms in the oral cavity daily. This plaque bacteria has toxins that cause the inflammation process to be active. Infection of the gum tissue begins, if you do not remove the plaque on a daily basis with proper brushing and flossing. Gum disease can then proceed to a more advanced stage of disease involving the jaw bone. The signs of gum disease are not always painful or easy to see. That is why it is important to have regular dental check ups to have your oral health evaluated.

Pop and Decay

shfr — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 15:05:29 +0000

Sip all day-Get Decay….

A steady diet of of soft drinks is a leading cause of tooth decay. How much pop is too much? It is not how much pop you are consuming, but how many times a day you are changing the ph of your mouth. The acid attacks your teeth every time you take a sip and lasts for 20 minutes. Acid in pop whether they contain sugar or not, is the primary cause of weakened tooth enamel. Today, adults drink three times more pop than 20 years ago. In addition to cavities, pop drinking has been linked to diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. There is NO nutritional value in pop. Remember that even diet pop has high levels of acid. Sugar and acid are bad for your teeth. So remember-Sip all day-get Decay!

Sour Candy and Enamel Erosion

shfr — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:22:10 +0000

The power of sour on your teeth can lead to tooth erosion. Don’t be mislead by candies and fruit snacks stating that they are healthy with fruit content. The majority of these snack items have a very high percentage of sugar. The acid levels in these food items is causing severe tooth erosion and decay in all age groups. The younger children love the fruit snacks and the snacks are packaged for convenience. The older adults tend to suck on hard candy to relieve dry mouths. Each acid attack lasts for about 20 minutes. Holding the acid in your mouth prolongs that attack time. Acid weakens and wears away tooth enamel. An alternative to this habit is using a sugar-free food item. There are many sugar-free candy items available in retail stores.

Canker sores

shfr — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:08:51 +0000

Canker sores or Recurrent Apthous Stomatitis, are painful lesions that occur within the oral cavity. There are three general forms of RAS: minor,major, and herpetiform. All are considered to be part of the same disease spectrum. Differences tend to be clinical in nature and severity. The etiology of RAS remains unknown. It is thought to be local, systemic, immunologic, nutritional, and stress related. If severe, laboratory tests or biopsies can be indicated for diagnosis. There is NO cure for RAS. In general, minor RAS lesions will heal within 10 days