Dentist Blog

Recent news reports are addressing the dental condition of many smokers, suggesting that though they have more dental problems than nonsmokers they are seeing the dentist less often. The results of a recent government survey of more than 16,000 adults shows that more than one third of smokers have three or more dental problems. These might include tooth loss, cavities, gum disease, or jaw pain. That is more than double the dental problems nonsmokers suffer from. As you might well guess, smoking and teeth in Lake Katrine is not a great combination.

Most smokers tend to be aware of the major health conditions that arise from tobacco, but few know exactly how damaging it can be on your teeth. Cigarettes are not the only product to be blamed. Cigars, smokeless tobacco, and hookah water pipes all can cause harm to your teeth.

Many Lake Katrine NY dentists will tell you that, despite what you might think, the various foods and beverages you consume each day can have a large impact on the health of your teeth. In fact, healthy teeth rely on a proper diet about as much as they do on brushing twice daily and flossing after every meal.

Not all foods have the same kind of effect on the quality of your smile. Some foods are more helpful than others and some are more harmful. Everyone knows that too much sugar should be avoided in order to prevent tooth decay, but Lake Katrine NY dentists suggest a handful of particular foods can actually help out a lot. There are foods that can eliminate plaque and bacteria caused by all those sugary food, while doing many other things to promote healthy teeth.

Oral piercing may seem a good way of expressing your individuality, but although you might think it looks attractive, Lake Katrine dentists would like to point out these types of piercings do carry a number of health risks. The most obvious risk is that of infection, as any wound within the mouth will allow oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream. More bacteria are likely to be introduced simply because of the jewelry being handled before it is inserted.

Another potential risk is the transmission of diseases such as hepatitis B and C and also the herpes simplex virus. More worryingly, oral piercing can increase the risk of endocarditis. This is because bacteria entering the bloodstream could create inflammation, and this can be very serious for people with undiagnosed heart problems. Very often these types of heart problems create very few or no symptoms at all.

When it comes to preventing and even reversing the damage of tooth decay, xylitol offers the best option available today. Created as a diabetic-friendly sweetener, xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that was on the market for several years before its numerous dental benefits were discovered. Today, we know that xylitol can prevent and even treat the effects of tooth decay. I frequently encourage my Lake Katrine dentist patients who are experiencing severe, chronic tooth decay to consider adding a xylitol supplement to their daily regimen as a way of combating their problems.

Xylitol has easily been added to a number of gums, oral health products, and mints because of the fact that it has virtually no aftertaste and around the same level of sweetness as sugar. The effect that xylitol has on oral health is not completely understood, but we do know that it is more complex in nature than simply killing off the bacteria that causes dental caries. The effect is believed to be long-lasting, though regular usage is your best bet for improving dental health.

Okay everyone, we are going to start with the hard stuff first. You must first understand the worst that could happen to your gums so that you might appreciate prevention methods. Onward!

Gum disease (or periodontal disease) is when the tissue surrounding our teeth is damaged by plaque and tartar build up. In advanced stages, the gums become so deteriorated that tooth loss may occur.