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

oral health

Common Dental Questions, dental care questions and answers, dental health tips, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental technology, ask a dentist about oral health

How to Protect Lips from the Sun

Preparing for a day in the sun includes lathering on sunscreen, grabbing a pair of shorts, and putting on sunglasses. As summer approaches there are a few things you need to keep in mind when soaking up rays. The sun provides great warmth from ultraviolet rays (UV).  Spending time in the sun is important, but it’s equally good to be aware of protecting your skin. Our lips in particular are something we might not think to protect. More importantly, men and women are at risk for lip cancer. Let’s cover a few important tips for lip protection before heading to the beach.

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.

How to Prevent Throat Cancer

A diagnosis of throat cancer can be a devastating event. And, although modern medical science has yet to discover the causes of this disease, researchers have discovered that certain behaviors can put individuals at greater risk for developing throat cancer. If you’re someone who falls into any of the categories for being at a higher risk for developing this disease, it’s important to know that making just a few lifestyle adjustments can lower your risk. Though the overall cancer rate in the U.S. is declining, some types of cancers, including mouth and throat cancers, are on the rise throughout the country. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent experiencing this disease firsthand.

How to Prevent Oral Cancer

In a recent 30-year study done by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and the American Cancer Society, it was reported that overall cancer deaths in the U.S. were on the decline. However, this is not true for all types of cancer. While instances of some types of canworse than ever, with many oral cancer sufferers surviving less than 5 years post diagnosis. Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital recently reported that cancers affecting the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and back of the throat have increased nearly 60 percent in the past 40 years for those 44 and younger. This distressing prognosis is proof that everyone throughout the country needs to get serious about taking steps necessary to prevent this disease. Following are the symptoms of oral cancer to watch out for, as well as vital proactive preventions that can be taken.

Types of Oral Cancer

Some types of cancer are on the decline throughout the entire United States. However, the number of cases involving other types of cancers is increasing. Oral cancer is one of these, and more Americans are in the high-risk groups for developing this disease than ever. There are several types of cancers that are considered oral, and the type typically depends upon the location of the disease. As with many types of cancer, the exact causes of the different forms of oral cancer are unknown to modern medicine. However, medical researchers have identified risk factors and behaviors that can put some individuals in greater danger of developing oral cancer, especially if they exhibit more than one of these components. Following is information on the different types of oral cancer, risk factors, and how to cope with a cancer diagnosis.

Dental Care Tips for Children

If you have children, there are certain things you need to know about when it comes to their teeth. The #1 question parents ask when it comes to their kids and teeth is WHEN? When should you actually start to brush their teeth? Some people may have different answers, but our answer is clear: As soon as they appear. Even if you are not using traditional toothpaste (as you shouldn’t be anyway) you can use a wet washcloth to clean their baby teeth to ensure that tooth decay is not present and does not happen early on. Kids and cavities is such a high statistics these days. In fact, over 40% of children have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten. That is just plain astonishing and shocking! Maybe if more parents knew how to take care of their kid’s teeth, less kids would have cavities at such a young age. If you want some tips on how to take care of your children’s teeth, there are a few tips below.