Save Your Teeth by Coping with Stress

stressDo you ever feel like circumstances are spinning out of your control? You’re not the only one. If there’s one thing we all have in common fairly often, it’s that stressful situations can occupy our minds and sap our energy. Not only that, stress can actually compromise your health. If you are stressed, it’s more likely that you’ll grind your teeth during sleep. While this bit of information has been around for a while, a recent study shed light on new piece of the teeth-grinding puzzle.

The article published in journal Head and Face Medicine shows that some ways of coping with stress can be healthier for your teeth and jaw than others. Those people who deal with stress by attempting to ignore their problems or internalize them are at higher risk for teeth grinding, also called bruxism. The study found that heavy grinders often used what were termed “negative” coping methods, like ignoring the causes of stress instead of working through problems directly. Continue reading Save Your Teeth by Coping with Stress

Popular Misconceptions about Dental Decay

Myths often start with a grain of truth, and that’s the case for the dental misconceptions40ish-dude-shrug most people have absorbed over the years. No matter how educated a person perceives they are concerning dental health, it’s possible a few false impressions have taken root. Such as…

  • Cavities are a fact of life.
    It’s common knowledge that there are very real, clinically-evidenced explanations for dental health issues, so why is it that many times you cross your fingers and hope luck is on your side when it’s time to take the kids to the dentist? Recent advancements in research have focused a lot of attention on early intervention methods. So with proper education, fluoride, increased access to dental care, and ongoing research, children in this day and age may not need to worry about cavity development. No four-leaf clovers necessary. Continue reading Popular Misconceptions about Dental Decay

More than You Ever Wanted to Know about Brushing Your Teeth

Thousands of years ago, people still liked fresh breath and a shiny smile. Tribal people used sticks to clean their teeth, and over time, this evolved into a Chinese hog-hair toothbrush. Today, we prefer a cleaner and more effective option ;-).shutterstock_2379935

Choosing Your Tools
• Never buy a toothbrush with hard bristles.
• Make sure your toothbrush’s size suits your mouth.
• Electric toothbrushes can be more effective than manual styles.
• Use an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste.
• Use a tongue scraper or gentle brushing to clean plaque from your tongue.
• Find floss that works for you – there’s flat, round, waxed, non-waxed, minty, and even pre-strung picks.

Tips for Brushing
• Brush morning and night – and after meals, if you like.
• Brush for two minutes at each session.
• If you can’t brush after meals, rinse with water.
• Replace your toothbrush every two to four months and after an illness.
• Microwave your damp toothbrush for one minute every month to kill bacteria. Continue reading More than You Ever Wanted to Know about Brushing Your Teeth

Important News for Patients with Diabetes

The link between gum disease and diabetes has been debated for some time. Researchers agree that the link exists, but the relationship is unclear. Are patients with diabetes more shutterstock_2010341susceptible to gum disease, or is it the other way around? In recognition of National Diabetes Month, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has released some new guidelines on oral health for people with diabetes.

According to recent studies, a two-way relationship exists between oral health and diabetes. Gum disease, an infection of the soft tissues that support the teeth, increases blood sugar levels, which elevates the risk of diabetic complications. Patients who already have diabetes are more susceptible to infection, and therefore, more likely to contract the disease. The bottom line? Everyone, especially diabetics, needs to pay close attention to his or her oral health. Continue reading Important News for Patients with Diabetes

10 Dental Tips for Healthy Smiles after Halloween

News Bulletin: Halloween Candy Strikes Fear in Parents across the Nation!

The apples of your eye, your precious children, are about to dress up in scary costumes, take candy from strangers, and throw themselves into sugar overload. It’s a tradition! As an all-American parent, you just need to grin and bear it. Right?

Good news. You don’t have to ruin your kids’ fun. These tips will help you transform the potentially haunting experience into a positive and rewarding memory.

In addition to the rules for costume safety, traffic safety, and trick-or-treating with a responsible adult…1. Check all candy before your children consume it. Open packages, homemade treats, and (for everyone, but particularly for kids with braces, fillings, or crowns) extremely sticky delicacies should be thrown out.

  1. Before Halloween comes, ask your dentist to place dental sealants on your child’s teeth. This will help reduce the potential for tooth decay.
  2. Check all candy before your children consume it. Open packages, homemade treats, and (for everyone, but particularly for kids with braces, fillings, or crowns) extremely sticky delicacies should be thrown out. Continue reading 10 Dental Tips for Healthy Smiles after Halloween