Most health insurance policies provide medical care separately from dental care, a pattern than makes no sense! Oral health and overall health are closely interconnected, and when one suffers, the other also suffers as a result.

Dental Health and the Heart

Inflammation links poor oral health and heart problems. The gums inside of the mouth are vascular, which means they are full of blood vessels, while the mouth itself is filled with bacteria. When unhealthy gums become inflamed, the bacteria in the mouth can seep into the bloodstream and travel anywhere within the body, creating more inflammation as they go. This is incredible dangerous, especially to the heart.

Inflammation causes hardened arteries and makes it difficult for blood to flow to the heart. This severely increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. When the inflammation of atherosclerosis combines with the inflammation and roaming bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene and gum disease, the results can be fatal. [Read more…]

Dental pain – we all dread it, yet it’s almost inevitable at some point in life. Just like any other type of pain, dental discomfort can originate for many different reasons. Make sure you understand the following three causes of dental pain as well as their solutions so you can prevent lasting damage and stay comfortable.

Cavities

Bacteria always exists naturally in the mouth, but when too much bacteria accumulates on the surface of a tooth due to negligent oral cleaning habits, it leads to the formation of plaque. Plaque eventually breaks down the natural minerals on the surface of the tooth and causes small pits to form. These pits of decay and infection are known as cavities. When cavities remain in the mouth for long periods of time without being treated, the infection can lead to serious damage.

Your oral hygiene and dietary habits are the most important components of cavity prevention. Be sure to brush and floss at least twice a day. Rather than brushing and flossing after you eat breakfast, start your oral care routine immediately after you wake up. This will clear away any bacteria that accumulated overnight and give your teeth extra protection during your first meal of the day.

Gum Disease

Gum disease begins as gingivitis with red, swollen, and tender gums that bleed too easily. If gingivitis is left unattended it leads to the more advanced form of gum disease known as periodontitis. This disease more severe as the gums pull away from the teeth and create pockets of infection. Eventually, the fibers and bone supporting the teeth are destroyed, and the teeth often need to be fully removed.

There are many different preventative measures that you can utilize to keep your mouth safe from gum disease and keep your gums as healthy as possible. Gingivitis can be quickly resolved with proper brushing and flossing techniques, but if you’re already suffering from periodontitis, a laser treatment called LANAP can restore your mouth back to health. [Read more…]

Despite their name, wisdom teeth usually only cause trouble. As the final set of molars to grow into the mouth, wisdom teeth rarely have the room they need to fit with other teeth comfortably. If wisdom teeth aren’t removed shortly after they appear during a patient’s teen years or early twenties, they often become impacted in the gums or force other teeth into misalignment. To avoid misery with your own wisdom teeth, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are a set of molars located in the back of the mouth. They usually grow last and don’t appear until your late teens or early twenties. Though some people are lucky enough not to experience any problems with their wisdom teeth, the majority of people need them removed to avoid serious problems like crowding, damage to nearby teeth, infection, and decay.

Do You Need Wisdom Teeth Removal?

If you receive regular dental checkups every six months, your dentist will use periodic X-rays to check the status of your wisdom teeth. Most dentists suggest wisdom teeth removal before a problem even forms in order to eliminate the potential of a more painful and complex procedure down the road. Proactive removal is recommended since wisdom teeth are easier to extract before their roots have fully developed.

However, it’s possible that you will also notice signs that your wisdom teeth are getting ready to cause trouble. You may start to experience pain in your jaw, irritation in the back of your mouth, crowding of your teeth, or frequent infection. [Read more…]

Modern dental innovations make it easier than ever to replace damaged or missing teeth with replacements that look and feel completely natural, but your dentist will always strive to save your natural teeth when possible.

There are three main benefits that real teeth offer, and it’s wise to protect them if you can!

Minimize Bone Loss

As soon as a tooth is removed, the jaw bone loses stimulation in that area. Every time you chew, talk, or bite, your teeth send vibrations to your jaw bone that stimulate regeneration and support ongoing bone health. Of course, missing teeth cannot perform that function.

Your dentist will work hard to save your natural teeth before removing or extracting them in order to preserve as much jaw bone strength as possible. The effects of jaw bone loss include sunken cheeks, misaligned bite, change in facial appearance, and difficulty chewing and talking. [Read more…]