General Dentist 5
Five Health Concerns You Didn’t Know Your Dentist Can Help With
Brushing twice a day can do more than just prevent halitosis. Research has shown that there exists a ‘mouth-body connection’ which links your oral health with your systemic health. If you have any of the five conditions listed below, it may be time to pay your dentist another visit.
1. Diabetes
There’s a strong link between dental health and diabetes. Bacterial build up on your teeth can make the gums more susceptible to infection. They become inflamed and in worst cases, can lead to a condition called periodontitis. This inflammation in the gums weaken the body’s ability to control blood sugar. It hinders your ability to utilize insulin, a hormone diabetics already lack. Worse yet, as blood sugar levels increase, it creates favourable conditions for infections to grow, including gum disease. By preventing one condition you’ll help prevent the other.
2. Heart Disease
Your teeth and your heart may not seem very connected, but they are–by the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacteria creates an inflammation of the gums. When immune cells arrive, it attaches to them with its long, finger-link projections and makes them ‘sticky’. Immune cells soon collect in blood vessels with other cells, leading to atherosclerosis (a condition where the artery wall thickens from accumulating white blood cells). This can then lead to various heart conditions including strokes, heart attacks, or claudication–a difficulty in walking often accompanied by pain or discomfort in the legs.
3. Early Childhood Caries
A mother’s health during pregnancy is directly linked to the health of the fetus. It’s no surprise then that poor oral hygiene of the mother can impact that of the child. Gum disease during pregnancy can increase your child’s risk of early childhood caries (ECC). ECC is a bacterial infection that can cause decaying or missing tooth surfaces in children under six and can be transmitted from the mother to the child during pregnancy.
4. Lung Conditions
Lung problems, such pneumonia or bronchitis, can be aggravated by gum disease. Studies have shown, especially in elderly populations, that gum health equals lung health. When you inhale, bacteria from a gum infection can travel into the lungs and cause respiratory infections. The inflammation caused by periodontitis can also trigger chemicals that worsen lung inflammation and other lung conditions.
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammation of the joints, a condition that causes incredible pain and a loss of function in the extremities. However, studies have shown that tooth loss from gum disease can increase your chances of developing RA. Furthermore, the severity of your periodontitis is predictive of the severity of RA. This is because the joints and the gums share similar tissues. Inflammation of one can lead to inflammation of the other.
As research on the mouth-body connection continues, there’s more and more evidence that the key to maintaining a healthy body is to also keep a healthy mouth. Flossing, brushing twice a day, and biannual dental check-ups are good habits that can greatly improve your health regimen.
How Much Do You Actually Know About Dental Implants?
Three out of every four adults in the United States believe that having an unattractive smile can ruin a person’s chances of having a successful career. Fortunately, if your smile is not as appealing as it once was, the best cosmetic dentistry treatments can help. Dental implants, for instance, are effective at both permanently replacing missing teeth and securely holding dentures in place, and receiving them will give you a significantly better smile. This means that by consulting the best dentist and determining how much dental and denture implants cost, you will be on your way to a full set of teeth.
What Ar (more…)
Find An Affordable Dentist Near You
One of the most powerful human expressions is the smile. A smile can communicate many levels of joy, happiness, and enthusiasm. Smiles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but why not achieve your optimal smile? Especially when you can easily locate an affordable dentist near you!
The dental practice you seek can service all of your dental needs. From sedation dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, they will provide every type of service and you will not have to be referred to other specialties. This flexibility is key. It holds the entirety of your total dental care, conveniently, within one practice, saving you time and energy.
Why run from one specialty dentist to another, losing time and money, when you can find every service you need within one practice? Enjoy the benefits of friendly physicians with w (more…)
Do You Have Missing Teeth? Find a Great Cosmetic Dentist in Your Area
No two sets of teeth are exactly alike, not even those belonging to identical twins. With that in mind, you will probably want to find a dentist who has the experience and skill set necessary to understand your particular dental needs.
But what if you have recently lost teeth, and you need professional assistance to help improve your smile? In that case, you’ll want to find trustworthy cosmetic dentists from which you can choose, who can administer the cosmetic dental surgery referred to as a dental implant.
But of what does a dental implant consist? It has three components: a titanium root installed in the jaw bone, an abutment that goes over the root, and a ceramic crown that fits in the abutment and resembles and fu (more…)
Four Upsetting Statistics About Dental Hygiene in the US
Having a good-looking set of teeth plays a huge role in your overall level of self-confidence and the way others perceive you. However, studies have shown that Americans don’t practice dental hygiene habits as well as they should, which has led to an influx in cosmetic dentistry and emergency dentistry. If you fall into the portion of Americans who don’t take care of their teeth, it’s not too late to make a change.
Take a look at these four surprising facts about dental hygiene in the United States:
1. We don’t visit the dentist as much as we should: Dentists recommend t (more…)