Smile with Confidence: A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Health and Care

Monthly Archives: March 2015

Diabetes and Dental Health

As with the sufferers of many health conditions, individuals who have diabetes must contend with numerous potential complications. If you’re a diabetic, you already know that you need to keep your blood glucose at the proper level in order to keep your diabetes under control and avoid complications that can be associated with your condition. What you may not realize, however, is that one of those complications can be dental health problems. In recent years, research has shown that poorly controlled diabetes can be linked to a greater risk of developing serious oral health problems such as gum disease and lost teeth. Diabetics are now shown to be more likely to develop these dental health problems than are non-diabetics. By the same token, dental health conditions such as gum disease are also associated with developing diabetes. Top dentists want both diabetics and non-diabetics to learn more about the link between oral health and diabetes.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

Your teeth have four layers. The first is the outer layer, which is the enamel. The second is the inner layer, which is the dentin. The third layer is the pulp, which contains the nerves and blood vessels. And the fourth layer is the cementum, which is a calcified substance that covers the root of the tooth. When these layers are compromised, tooth sensitivity can occur. Many people throughout the country suffer from tooth sensitivity that causes pain, particularly when they eat cold or hot foods, or even when they breathe in cold air. Tooth sensitivity occurs when gums recede, enamel is worn, or when cementum is lost. In these instances, roots and nerves are exposed, and this causes sensitivity and pain. Here is information from top dentists regarding tooth sensitivity, as well as tips on how to prevent it.

What Is An Abscessed Tooth?

An abscessed tooth may not sound like such a big deal, but the fact is that an abscess is an infection that, if left untreated, can be life-threatening. An abscessed tooth is an infection that occurs in the pulp, which is the soft tissue found in the center where the blood vessels and nerves are in a tooth. Abscessed teeth can cause pus to form in surrounding tissue. Tooth abscesses are often caused by cavities or other tooth decay or chips, especially if they’re are not cared for properly. It’s vital that anyone who has a tooth abscess seek medical attention right away, as dental abscesses can lead to death if they go untreated. Following is information from top dentists about the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention of an abscessed tooth.

Causes of Overbites and Underbites

Overbites and underbites can cause people to feel self conscious about their appearances, but that’s not the only effect an overbite or underbite can have on a patient. Overbites and underbites both can cause medical conditions such as migraines and temporomandibular disorders, as well as neck pain and mouth pain. If you or someone you love has an overbite or underbite, it’s important to know there are things that can be done about it.  Many people have overbites or underbites that are slight and unnoticeable. They don’t cause them any difficulty, so they live with them, never giving them another thought. However, others may decide to have this condition corrected, especially if they are experiencing pain from them. Top dentists want you to know that there are dental remedies to overbites and underbites, and the positive effects of having these dental conditions corrected are many. Following is more information on the causes, effects, and treatments of overbite and underbites.

What Is Oral Thrush?

If you notice a white coating inside your mouth, you may have oral thrush. Oral thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by yeast. It’s estimated that upwards of 35 percent of newborns develop oral thrush in the first few months of life. Additionally, oral thrush is fairly common among children in their toddler years, as well as elderly patients who wear dentures. But oral thrush doesn’t just occur in children and the elderly. People who smoke are at particular risk for developing this mouth infection, as smoking can weaken the immune system. Pregnant women and patients who have compromised immune systems from medical conditions such as HIV, diabetes, and cancer also are at greater risk of developing oral thrush. Following is information from top dentists about oral thrush, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Sleep Apnea and Teeth

Millions of people in the United States today suffer from sleep apnea, and many of them don’t even know it. In fact, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, upwards of 12 million people in the U.S. have from sleep apnea. That means that about 1 in 20 people throughout the country suffer from sleep apnea, with many of them not even being aware of their medical condition. The problem, of course, with not knowing is the serious complications that can occur due to this disorder with no preventive measures being taken. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can cause its sufferers to stop breathing while they’re sleeping, with incidents of breathing cessation occurring up to 100 times per night. One of the little known consequences of sleep apnea is its effects on oral health, which can be serious.

Routine Dental Care for Seniors

The average lifespan is increasing, and that means seniors have more time now than ever before to enjoy a full and active life. It’s true that seniors in Livingston and throughout the country have a greater expectation of having a long, happy life. But if your teeth are in poor condition, chances are you might not be enjoying life as much as you should. If you’re going to live longer than your parents and grandparents, why not make it the best life possible?! Perhaps there was a time when living longer meant you were a likely candidate for losing your teeth and wearing dentures, but those days are in the past. And, even if you do have dentures, you want them to last. Whether you’re a denture wearer, you have your own natural teeth, or you have dental implants or any of the other wonderful innovations of restorative dentistry, your oral hygiene habits are a vital part of your healthy, active life.

Routine Dental Care

Walt Disney once said, “A kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Needless to say, this was a metaphor. No one wants to experience an actual kick in the teeth … not just because it’s painful, but also because, well, everyone likes having nice teeth! Right about now you may be thinking, “Well, duh!” However, have you ever thought about how likely it is that someday you may lose teeth due to improper dental care? A healthy dental care routine often is all that’s necessary to ensure that your teeth remain with you for the rest of your life. But keeping your teeth may be only half the story. Recent studies have shown a potential link between poor oral hygiene and risk factors for developing certain medical conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The fact is that poor dental hygiene is the main reason that people throughout the country can experience tooth decay, tooth loss, and even loss of the bone structures surrounding the teeth. Here are some tips on optimal dental care routines for everyone in your family.