Oral Health Care During a Woman’s Life
Caring for oral health is similar for both men and women. However, a woman’s oral health can be affected by hormonal changes throughout her lifetime, especially during pregnancy. Understanding these changes can help you or a woman in your life get the proper preventive dental care to avoid serious oral health issues. Know the steps to take for women to keep their smile healthy. Hormones Blood flow to gum tissues is increased by female hormones which raises the gum sensitivity to plaque and bacteria. This can cause gums to swell or bleed. While hormonal changes do not cause gum disease, they can worsen oral health issues leading to inflammation, cold sores, dry mouth and changes in taste. These changes often occur as the body produces more of the estrogen hormone at certain points in a women’s menstrual cycle. Oral health is also affected by oral contraceptives. An example is dry […]
How Diabetes Impacts Your Smile
Diabetes not only affects your overall health, it can impact your oral health. In the United States, more than 30 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes, and about one-third of diabetics have a severe form of periodontal (gum) disease.1 Good oral health habits can help manage and control diabetes. Maintaining oral health is important Diabetics are more likely to experience gum disease at an earlier age then people who do not have the disease. Periodontal disease can change blood glucose levels, possibly increasing the time a body functions with a high blood sugar level. This impacts diabetics by putting them at an increased risk for diabetic complications.2 What you should know about diabetes Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. If not managed properly, the disease can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, blindness, amputations, nerve damage and kidney failure.1 Diabetics who receive […]
Three Reasons Why Visiting the Dentist Benefits Your Health
Visiting the dentist for regular dental checkups is an easy way to improve not only your oral health, but also your overall health. Like your regular physician, your dentist should be a part of your overall wellness regimen. Here are three reasons how the dentist can help you improve your well-being. Preventive dental care is important When you go to your dentist for a routine checkup, they (or a dental hygienist) will clean your teeth. Having your teeth cleaned removes tartar buildup that can only be removed by a dental professional, which prevents tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health issues that can result from excess tartar. In addition to a cleaning, the dentist will look for any oral health issues that require treatment. If dental issues go untreated, they can get worse, more painful, more expensive to treat and even lead to tooth loss. In most cases, the […]
Inspire your kids to care for their smiles
When it comes to dental care habits for children, a little fun can go a long way. By adding some extra excitement into their oral hygiene routine, you can help motivate them to keep their smile healthy throughout childhood and the rest of their lifetime. Reward them for successes Whether your child remembered to floss or said no to sugar at a sleepover, small rewards can be a big boost for good oral health behavior. Read them their favorite book or two before bed if they brushed for the full two minutes. Or set up a reward chart and add a fun sticker every time they remember to floss without a reminder throughout the week. Find hygiene tools that make them smile Children need basic tooth care tools and supplies like a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and toothbrush holder. But no one said those tools have to be boring. Choose brushes […]
Oral health and heart disease
You might be surprised to learn that the health of your teeth and gums can affect the rest of your body and vice versa. Such a connection has long been speculated between oral health and heart disease. While research in this area is ongoing, studies suggests a link between the health of our mouths and the health of our hearts. A review published in the Journal of Periodontology found that gum disease is a risk factor for coronary heart disease and that people with gum disease and fewer teeth have a higher risk of stroke.1 Another study reported by the American Heart Association found that people with healthier gums respond better to blood pressure treatment.2 The link between gum disease and heart disease is largely due to the existence of plaque in both conditions, but it’s hard to say if plaque on teeth causes plaque in arteries or if it’s […]
