Posts Tagged ‘dental health’

Play TV And Computer Games And Be At Risk From Acid Attack

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Why your dental health can be damaged by video gaming.

Parents have been complaining for years that their children are stuck in front of a monitor all day playing video games instead of being outside playing sports. Your overall health can be improved by partaking in physical activity; this is a well-known fact.

If you spend your time sitting in front of a gaming console or PC monitor, your physical condition will not improve. Things are even worse as a recent study shows. Video gaming and snacking at the same time often leads to weight problems and now the study also suggests that snacking is leading to poor levels of oral health among gaming teenagers.

There is evidence that those who spend a lot of time in front of a games console are twice as likely to suffer from tooth decay than those who prefer sports. This is a topic of grave concern to dental insurance providers who often actively encourage the general public to participate more fully in both physical and dental health activities

The research suggests that teenagers who spend most of their time gaming are more likely to consume foods and snacks with higher levels of sugar. Tooth decay, like obesity and diabetes, is a possible result of this.

The popularity of online games and in-home gaming systems is not confined to youngsters; adults love them too. Oral care and personal hygiene are often ignored by people too involved with playing games. The previously unknown link between the dietary habits of gamers and their subsequent risk of tooth decay has, according to Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, been revealed by this study. He went on to highlight how important a stable diet was to maintain good oral health.

Gamers are under acid attack

Habitual gamers spend hours in front of the gaming consoles surrounded by bottles of fizzy drinks and bags of snacks on which they are continually snacking. All the time the gamers are attacking video opponents, they are also under attack from the foods they are eating.

Snack foods contain more sugars and preservatives. Sugars can keep teeth under acid attack for up to an hour after consuming the snack. The amount of bacteria responsible for attacking the teeth and gums will be increased by the reaction between sugars and plaque.

Just as harmful are acidic foods. Sugary foods can be less damaging to teeth and gums than a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. The vulnerability to attack of the teeth is increased by the fact that the acids in the snacks soften and weaken the enamel.

The importance of parental rules.

The study focused on teenagers between the ages of 12 and 16. It found that those who avoided snacking whilst playing games or watching TV were less likely to develop tooth decay or gum disease than those who continually snacked.

By watching TV and snacking under parental control the chances of developing serious tooth and gum problems was reduced by 30%.

The amount of sugar and acid remaining in the mouth and attacking the teeth and gums is far greater when food is constantly snacked throughout the day than it is if meals are taken at regular intervals.

If you want your children to have healthy teeth and gums, regulate what they eat and when they eat it.

If you want to keep your natural teeth looking good, you should eat sensibly, pay attention to your oral hygiene, and visit your dentist regularly. Dental checkups can be carried out in less than thirty minutes and are not expensive. You can even get your dental insurance to pay for for a check-up or oral hygiene visit and really put a smile on your face.

Secrets For Keeping Your Teeth Beautiful

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Learn how to maintain beautiful teeth by developing a good relationship with your dentist

For many of us, having beautiful teeth is important? Just brushing will not be enough! It takes more than just brushing and a good dental insurance plan to have beautiful teeth. Putting a little extra time into your teeth goes a long way and boy what a difference it makes on your smile. It’s possible to keep your teeth and mouth healthy for a lifetime by simply following some easy steps.
Here are some simple techniques for gorgeous teeth:

  • Understand what your teeth need in order to stay healthy. Don’t be put off by the cost of hygeinist visits, as any good dental insurance policy will cover the cost of these. We are all different with our own individual needs; speak with your dentist or hygienist about particular conditions pertaining to your own oral health. This is the only way that your dentist can help you keep your teeth looking great.
  • Certain medical conditions can also affect the health of your teeth. Be sure to tell you dentist if there have been any changes to your general health; pregnancy, heart disease, diabetes and cancer treatments can all have an affect on your dental health and may require a change to your oral care routine.
  • If you are taking any medicines or supplements - prescribed or otherwise - remember to tell your dentist about these. Tell your dentist about any changes to your medication as these may have an effect on your oral health.
  • Regular communication with your dentist is the key to success. It is important to maintain a good relationship with your dentist where you can feel comfortable to speak with them about any personal or important issues relating to your teeth and mouth. In this way he or she will have the information necessary to give you the best dental care and oral health advice.

Some helpful tips summarised

  •  Keep a journal with questions that you may want to ask your dentist.
  • Take your diary with you to your appointment as there’s nothing more frustrating than forgetting to ask about things that have been in our heads.
  • Let your dentist know if you are unwell.
  • You also need to tell your dentist about any recent medical issues.
  • Your dentist will need to know if there have been any changes in your regular medications.
  • If you have any inflammation in your mouth don’t wait for the problem to become serious or the pain to get worse - call your dentist.

The key to helping your teeth to stay beautiful is to communicate with your dentist. Maintaining beautiful, healthy teeth can be achieved if you talk to your dentist so that they can help you do this.

What You Do at Home Has the Greatest Impact on Oral Hygiene and Avoidance of Expensive Treatments

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

In the course of my daily work, I get to hear from a lot of people. The stories are often marvelous. Most of them are in relation to dental health but I also get to hear stories about peoples’ experience in overcoming other disease conditions as well.

One of the stories I recently heard was from a customer of mine. She bought a special device from me. She had a dental appointment in less than 2 weeks from the time she received the package. I was not certain that two weeks was enough time for this tool to work its magic, and she had even less than that amount of time.

The results were outstanding. She said that the hygienist told her that there was a 70% improvement in her gum health. She was absolutely delighted. This was a person who had, just a few months prior spent thousands on a dental surgery to help her gums.

Unfortunately, just a short time later, she was being told that she needed another ‘deep cleaning’ treatment. This is also known as a scaling and root planing or SRP treatment.

The first time she called me, she was very distraught over this constant ‘need’ for expensive dental work. She could not understand why she had spent so much money and continued to need even more treatments!

I understand her feelings all to well. Though I managed to avoid the first expensive treatment that was recommended, I still dread the idea of getting charged for something that ultimately is only a treatment that will very likely need to be repeated later on. This is what she found annoying too!

There are many things that can be done to improve dental health from home. In fact, if you ask any dental professional they will tell you that what you do at home has more impact on your dental health than what they do in the office.

However, as patients we are seldom told WHAT to do at home beyond simple brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, the same professionals will tell you that up to 75% of the population suffers from some form of gum disease right now! The only reasonable conclusion is that most people need more to gain and maintain their dental health than mere brushing and flossing has to offer!

We are in need of a revolution in home dental health care. Your dentist will be delighted to see the health of your gum tissue improve. Since gum disease really is the number one cause of tooth loss, you can bet that getting this area of your life under control can really help you to save your teeth and even keep them while you get older even while your friends may be getting more and more tooth replacements in the form of implants or dentures.

Having and keeping your own natural, living teeth is superior to having either implants or dentures. As the old saying goes: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"!

Next: Learn more about what you can do to keep your teeth for the long haul and prevent expensive dental treatments and surgeries!

Get your free report: How To Stop Gum Disease at: http://www.HowToSTopGumDisease.com

David Snape is the author of the book: What You Should Know about Gum Disease. ISBN: 978-0981485508 - Available online at most book retailer sites. It can also be ordered by most book stores.

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.
 

Dental Disease is Dreadful…

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

gum disease

 There is a rampant occurrence of gum disease worldwide.  It may be suggestive of a lifestyle problem.  We tend to be too preoccupied, with what seems to be equally important, but you have to know how destructive gum disease could be to our total wellbeing.  Products like Oramd, might help.

You may hear experts say that just because you brush and floss regularly you become less susceptible to gum disease.  And upon research I found out that it is not merely brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly that saves you from the dreadful inflammation of gums and its detachment to the bones that hold the teeth.

Good and proper oral hygiene practices could spare your gums, too.  In a magazine I have read, it says, good oral hygiene when practiced properly gives back highly satisfactory results.  A friend confirmed that, too. 

She had really bad case, imagine blood lubricating her oral cavity instead of just saliva and it is foul smelling, too.  It’s really unsightly but I am proud to say that she is doing what she can to reverse the problem. There is a fine set of mouthwashes made by therabreath that might be helpful.

Socially, it has wounded her but she is starting to pull herself back together.  Gingivitis could really go out of hand with neglect.  It can cause recession of gums and reducing the bones that hold the teeth in place.  Can you imagine how painful that is?  It is thrice more painful than a decaying tooth.

 Some people wonder why, despite their religious biannual visits to the hygienist, their gums are still red and flabby.  Gingivitis is a serious, fast-progressing and life threatening condition. The hydrofloss is something that some hygienists recommend!

Research says that using some products could do more harm than good.  For instance, the floss - it is just a piece of thread, you might think but when used improperly - it could destroy the continuity of your gums thus causing gum recession leading to tooth mobility and worse, tooth extraction.

*Disclaimer:  This article is for information purposes only, It is not intended to diagnose, treat or offer advice. If you have or think you might have a health or dental health problem of any kind, visit your dentist or doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.  The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products mentioned. 

Should Your Teeth Ever Break?

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

There is an incredible misconception that you must have broken and crumbled teeth and receding gums as a consequence of aging. Is this really the truth?

I remember a coworker who broke a tooth while eating. The tooth split in half on some morsel of food that may or may not have been very hard. Even in the worse case scenario a piece of the tooth may have chipped, but for the tooth to split in half means there must have been some underlying weakness that allowed this to happen.

Our teeth are very important to us. We need them to eat - that is obvious. But we also need them to insure that our jaw does not deteriorate. You can lose bone mass when the jaw has no tooth to support. In addition, a lost tooth can cause your teeth to shift creating an uneven bite which in turn can cause uneven wear and tear on your teeth.

Therabreath makes a line of products that may be helpful to your dental health.

Oramd is an essential oil blend that is used as toothpaste.

The Hydro Floss is an oral irrigator - irrigators can help you in your efforts to reduce plaque build up between office visits

I will theorize for the rest of this article. I would speculate that my friend’s problem may have had two components. One would be nutritional and the other would be repetitive failure to maintain proper pH of the mouth.

Much depends on both - as I continue to speculate. You can imagine the teeth as being made of calcium and phosphate ions. When there is a more acidic environment those ions can be dissolved or ‘pulled’ right out of the enamel of your teeth, thereby weakening them. You could imagine that over time, this could be a problem.

Energy drinks, coffee drinks and fruit juices can all lower the pH of the environment in your mouth, making it more acidic. What if you consistently were to raise that pH back up after eating or drinking an acidic food or beverage?

Author:  David S.

For meditation - visit FalunDafa.org

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

An Ounce of Prevention….

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Personal Dental Care

There more I hear from people interested in the hydro floss, the more impressed I am. I have my own experience with this device as well and I’m very happy with what it can do in regards to my dental health.

Many dentists are also recommending the hydro floss. This is because of the history of this device. Studies have documented it’s effectiveness. The second study was designed to disprove the first, however, it showed the hydro floss to be even more effective than the first study.

A personal dental irrigator may be very helpful to you. You would be surprised just how much comes out of your mouth even after you have brushed and flossed.

Cost is not a factor because if you are able to buy one of these devices for less than the cost of a single office visit, isn’t it worth it? That seems to be especially true if it can save you from expensive dental treatments. A scaling and root planing treatment might cost you up to $1600

Some people have to replace their teeth. I met a gentleman who spent $26,000 to have his teeth fixed / replaced. That makes the cost of a $100 home dental instrument sound miniscule doesn’t it?

Wouldn’t it be nice if we shifted our focus a bit from treatment to prevention. Imagine the health care dollars that we could save. Imagine the personal pain and suffering that would no longer be necessary.

We have always known this to be true. Remember the saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? This quote is as true today as when it was originally coined. We have moved to far away from prevention, let’s get back to it.

Unfortunately, prevention and what it means is something that each of us needs to really understand personally. You can not leave prevention in the hands of someone else and expect the kind of results that you are deserving of as a human being.

Author: Dave S.

Disclaimer:  This article is for information purposes only.  If you have or think you might have any type of health problem at all, visit a physician for advice diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article. 

Change is on the Horizon for the Dental Care Industry

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

gum disease

Change is right around the corner. There are many things on the horizon. For example, they can regrow teeth if there is any root left alive. It has been done in a lab. But when will it be commercially available? Who knows?

Gum tissue can be grown in the lab from the patient’s own cells. This saves the need to grab donor tissue from the roof of the mouth or some other area. Again, we have no idea when we will see this commercially.

Unfortunately, many people are suffering from gum disease and receded gum tissue. Some even have loose teeth. It is important for people to understand that almost all of the time, but not always, this is going to be due to the presence of gum disease. Prevention is better than cure and that is why you may wish to shop for a hydrofloss.

Ask almost any dentist or especially periodontists, they will all tell you that most people have problems with their gum health. What I find perplexing is why dentists don’t mention this more often to their patients. Some dentists will simply allow a problem to get worse until it reaches the point of needed a Scaling and Root Planing. If interested in prevention, you may wish to buy a hydrofloss.

This, in my opinion, is not the greatest service to the patient. Humanity is cruel. Many dentists know that what I am saying is true. Please don’t misunderstand, there are many good dentists. I just wish there could be some behavioral or attitudinal changes out there. Patients deserve the best.

I understand the frustration of doctors. Perhaps they believe they are wasting their time when they spend it educating the patient. Perhaps there are other reasons. Whatever is going on in any specific practice, I hope that the focus can shift more towards what is best for the patient - even when the patient has no idea about what is going on. Some buy oramd.

What happened to the age old idea of doing good for goodness’s sake. It isn’t necessary for anyone to realize that you have done them a good deed or not, just do it. If we all operated that way regardless of what place or station in life we occupy, wouldn’t the world be a better place?

Author: David S. All Rights Reserved:

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have gum disease or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

 

Avoid That Gum Disease

Sunday, September 13th, 2009

dental care

Brushing and flossing are not always enough to stop gum disease, you often need much more than that. Your personal dental care is very important. But you still need to make sure that you brush and floss everyday too. In order to avoid the problems that are presented by this disease, here are some tips to follow.

First off do you know what gum disease is? It’s when your gums and bones are attacked by the bacteria that live in your mouth. Did you know that at one time more than one hundred different kinds of bacteria can be in your mouth, millions of them? Yes it’s a lot, and no wonder we have to do so much to kill them.

Brushing each day twice a day is something you need to consider as part of your basic dental care. But you also need to make sure that you brush for at least three minutes. Don’t use those hard bristle tooth brushes either. They could actually harm gum tissue and cause more harm than good.

Flossing should also be done each day of the week. After a snack or drink that is full of sugar you need to brush your teeth. So really the twice a day rule is the minimum amount of times you will be running that toothbrush across those teeth.

Don’t smoke, or use chewing tobacco. They will add stains to your teeth, and give that bacteria an even better chance to harm your gums. As the bacteria continue to feast on your gums and mouth, you will notice things that point to gum disease.

Most definitely if you notice your gums are bleeding almost all the time after brushing or flossing, you should consider going to a periodontist. This special kind of dentist is the top line of def when it comes to combatting .

Next, discover the low cost things you can do at home to help stop gum disease and prevent it from coming back again by following the links below.

Author:  Scott W.

*Disclaimer:  This article is for information purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you have a health problem of any kind or think you might, visit a doctor or periodontist for advice, diagnosis and treatment.  The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.

Gum Disease Can Be Scary…

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

hydro floss

We typically think of our mouth as a vehicle for talking and eating. We overlook caring for it while attracting bacteria day in and day out. Some bad bacteria can attack your gums and teeth. This could start the early stages of gum disease, also medically termed periodontal disease, if not looked after.

Gum disease starts out with plaque build up. The plaque sticks to your teeth and at first is not visible to you. If you don’t make regular trips to a dentist who will usually scrape it off during cleaning, then it can build up over time at extreme stages. When this happens it turns into a hard substance known as tarter. When tarter builds up it can only be removed during a cleaning as it is too hard for you to scrape away.

In the early stages of gum disease, you will experience swelling of the gums, and maybe light bleeding as you brush. This stage is called gingivitis. Overtime, if you haven’t sought treatment, the bone and tissue deteriorate, and teeth often become loose and may need to be removed, or they eventually fall out. This stage is called periodontitis. Another sign that goes along with this is bad breath. To prevent this from happening, the starting place is protecting your gums.

In most cases you can prevent gum disease. The rule of thumb for good oral hygiene allows you to take matters into your own hands. Brush after every meal, include flossing. Maintain a regular schedule for cleaning with your Dentist, twice a year is the norm. Even if you have noticed early stages of gum disease , a quick trip to your Dentist who will begin the necessary diagnostic in treatment will help you fight this off.

The good news is that gum disease is preventable. Attention to everyday oral hygiene including brushing, flossing and cleanings by your professional two times a yearly may be the only steps necessary to prevention.

With these measures, you’ll be successful keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

 

Author: Scott W.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to give advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a health problem or think that you might. Visit your doctor or periodontist for advice, diangosis or treatment.

Defeat Gum Disease As Best You Can…

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

gum disease

Waking up in the morning brushing your teeth is a daily habit for most Americans. We look at our mouth as a function for talking and eating. Like other parts of our body it needs care. This attacks teeth and gums putting you at risk of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease.

One of the first stages of gum disease is plaque starts accumulating on your teeth. It is not noticeable in the beginning. Scheduling appointments with your dentist for cleanings will include eliminating the buildup. If not, it can progress into the next stage. The plaque turns into a hard material making it harder to clean and turns into tarter. At this point, you will have to rely on a professional to remove it which consists of a scraping. Sometimes this can be painful.

If you haven’t practiced routine oral hygiene, you’ll begin experiencing early signs of gum disease. When you brush your teeth bleeding may occur in the gums. A slight swelling may also be seen. If treatment is not sought, the tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone will begin to weaken. You’ll be at risk of your teeth beginning to wiggle, and you will begin to lose them. This stage is known as periodontitis. You will also experience unfavorable breath.

One of the best ways for prevention of gum disease is exercising good oral hygiene. It is just not enough to brush your teeth once a day. Brush after every snack and every meal. Include flossing after every meal to reduce plaque. Schedule two appointments annual for a professional cleaning. If you happen to notice some of the signs of gum disease, contact your dentist immediately. Professional care will attack and treat gum disease early on.

Gum disease is serious, and can be scary, but it can be treated. The best place to start is using the preventive measures.

Remember the importance of flossing and brushing frequently throughout the day. Stick to your professional cleanings. Doing this will ensure a healthy mouth.

 

Author: Scott W.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you have any health condition, visit your periodontist or doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.