Good Oral Hygiene can Prevent Disease

Most people are aware that poor oral hygiene can lead to dental caries and gum disease, but what most don’t know about is the mouth and body connection. Not practicing good oral hygiene causes more than bad breath and can lead to some serious health issues.

According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers from NYU, or the New York University, found a direct link between Alzheimer’s disease and gum inflammation. Although there were only 152 participants in the study that took place in a 20-year period in Denmark, it was discovered that low cognitive function was related to people who suffered from gum inflammation. The bacterium, porphyromonas gingivalis, was present in those who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, but not in those who didn’t. In a recent study, it was also discovered that gum disease bacteria could move from the gums to the brain either from the nerves that connect from the roots of the teeth to the brain or through the blood. In other words, if you have gums that bleed, the bacteria will enter your blood stream every time you brush, floss or eat.  

Pancreatic cancer has also being linked to periodontal disease thanks to a study conducted at Harvard. What the health researchers discovered was that men, who had recent tooth loss, were more susceptible to pancreatic cancer. It was also suggested that there is a direct link between carcinogens caused by gum disease and pancreatic cancer.  Although this theory is still being researched, it is just another reason to practice good oral hygiene that includes regular checkups with your dentist.

Your mouth is loaded with bacteria, which could lead to heart disease. People who do not brush and floss regularly could be at risk of heart disease. Because the bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream, it can interrupt the blood flow to your heart increasing your risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

Other health conditions that can occur because of poor oral hygiene include endocarditis, an infection of your hearts inner lining, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and HIV/AIDS. Women who are pregnant and suffer from gum disease are also more likely to give birth prematurely or have low weight babies.

The best way to have a healthy mouth and body connection is to practice good oral hygiene habits that include brushing twice and flossing once each day, eating a healthy diet and seeing your dentist at least twice a year. Schedule your dental appointment today.

Are you Obsessed with Tooth Bleaching?

Tooth whitening has become an obsession both here in the United States and overseas with millions of people spending billions of dollars on tooth whitening strips, pastes, gels, and mouth rinses. Unfortunately that obsession, coined, “Bleachorexia,” by dental professionals can actually cause serious problems for your teeth and gums.

More than ninety nine percent of adults who participated in a study believed that having a beautiful white smile was the most important asset with ninety-six percent believing that an attractive smile made a person much more appealing when it came to the opposite sex. Seventy-four percent of adults felt that a person’s career success chances could be hampered with an unattractive smile.

According to Web MD, your quest for the brightest and whitest teeth will not only make your teeth brittle, but can also make them appear gray or even transparent.

Teeth will stain over time because of coffee, tea, red wine, too much fluoride and some types of antibiotics. Tooth whitening will only remove stains and will not bleach teeth that have been restored. If you have dental veneers, tooth colored fillings or dental bonding, bleaching your teeth will not cover those types of restorations. Teeth that have been discolored because of antibiotics or fluoride may also be resistant to tooth whitening products.

When tooth whitening is done the right way you can have a beautiful smile, but when abused and over done, it can cause irreversible problems making your teeth translucent and less white.

Other problems that can occur from over bleaching include hypersensitivity. Sensitivity to hot and cold is probably the most common complaint that people have when it comes to tooth whitening. However, hypersensitivity will usually go away eventually.

If you bleach too much you could also have palate, throat and gum irritation from the bleach. Some people actually become nauseous after accidentally swallowing the tooth-whitening product.

Bleaching too frequently or keeping the product on your teeth for too long may cause enamel erosion. If you must whiten your teeth at home, your dentist recommends that you use an ADA approved tooth whitening kit.

Of course, the best way to whiten your teeth is at your dentist’s office with either a custom-made tooth bleaching kit or chair side bleaching. If you cannot afford to have your dentist whiten your teeth, stick with the ADA approved product list.

Don’t become a, “Bleachorexic.” Schedule an appointment with your dentist for tooth whitening today.