Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting a growing number of adults and children in the United States. It negatively affects the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other important systems in the body. Diabetes can also cause serious oral health issues for those who suffer from it.
Patients with Diabetes are at increased risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum and bone that surrounds the teeth and holds them into place. It can lead to painful chewing difficulties and, if not properly treated, tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is currently the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Dry mouth is another symptom of diabetes and is often a symptom of undetected diabetes. Dry mouth can cause oral health issues including soreness, ulcers, infections and tooth decay. All of these problems are exacerbated by smoking!
If you suffer from Diabetes, the best thing you can do to protect your oral health is to maintain good blood glucose control. Seeing your doctor regularly to monitor your Diabetes and blood glucose levels is an important step in maintaining good oral health while living with Diabetes. Another key component involves your oral hygiene. If you have Diabetes, it is even more important to maintain good oral health by brushing and flossing your teeth regularly. It is also very important to visit your dentist regularly for dental exams and dental cleanings. Lastly, refraining from smoking, or quitting smoking is an essential part of maintaining good oral health.
If you have questions about Diabetes and the effect on your oral health, talk with a qualified dentist in your area.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
In the past, the process of getting dentures required about five different visits to the dentist’s office and about thirty days to receive the final product. Advances in technology and dentistry now make it possible for patients to get their dentures in about ten days with significantly less chair time. This new way of manufacturing dentures is called the Dentca CAM (computer aided manufacturing)/CAD (computer aided design) system. This faster and more cost effective method of producing dentures is currently being offered in dental offices throughout the United States.
The Dentca CAM/CAD denture system takes the margin of human error out of the process and allows for a faster, more cost effective method of manufacturing dentures. This results in less lab manufacturing time and fewer visits to the dental office for the patient. The Dentca CAM/CAD denture system requires just one visit prior to final delivery. During this visit, the dentist takes an initial impression of the patient’s gum. While the CAD system manipulates the impression to create accurate three dimensional photo simulations of how the denture is going to look, the CAM system controls mechanical tools and related machinery in the manufacturing of the dentures. By taking away the human labor, these dentures are created in a dramatically shorter period of time with no margin for error. The result is faster, more efficient and better fitting dentures.
If you would like more information about the Dentca CAM/CAD denture system, talk to a qualified dentist in your local area. If your dentist does not offer the Dentca CAM/CAD denture system, find one who does!
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
Despite advances in dentistry, tooth loss remains a problem for many American adults. In fact, according to the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2004), 3.75% of Americans adults aged 20 to 64 have no remaining teeth. According to the same report, the mean number of remaining teeth for American adults aged 50 -64 is 22.30.
In the past, the options for replacing missing teeth were limited. Now patients with missing teeth have a variety of tooth replacement options including the following: bridges, partial dentures, full dentures and dental implants.
A bridge is a fixed dental prosthesis used to fill the gap between at least two teeth. With a bridge, a pontic or false tooth is supported on either side by the adjacent or abutment teeth. A removable or partial denture consists of replacement teeth attached to a pink or gum-colored plastic base, which is connected by metal framework that holds the denture in place in the mouth. Full dentures are upper and lower plates that take the place of a full set of teeth. Lastly, dental implants are prosthetic screws or anchors that are inserted into the jawbone to take the place of missing tooth roots. Once they are fused with the bone in the jaw, a crown, bridge or partial denture may be secured to the dental implants to take the place of missing teeth. Of the four options mentioned above, dental implants are the only option that provides for permanent replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth. Dental implants are a more costly solution than the other options, however, if properly maintained, dental implants can last for a patient’s lifetime.
Replacing missing teeth is important for maintaining good oral health and protecting your remaining teeth. If you are currently missing a tooth or teeth, talk to a qualified dentist in your local area about the tooth replacement options available to you.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
Do you dread going to the dentist? Does the thought of having dental work such as a root canal fill you with fear and anxiety? It should not. There are now so many good options for both relaxation and pain relief, there is no reason to fear the dentist.
If you are having a minor dental procedure such as a filling, local anesthesia may be enough to give you the pain relief you need. Topical anesthetics can be applied to the tissues of the mouth to prevent pain on the surface level. Your dentist may swab you mouth with a topical anesthetic to numb the site before administering injectable anesthetics. Injectable local anesthetics are used to prevent pain in a specific area of your mouth while you are receiving dental treatment. They work by numbing the tissues in your mouth and blocking the nerves that sense and transmit pain.
If you are having a more complicated dental procedure or if you have a dental phobia or a severe gag reflex, you may need or want to have more than just local anesthesia. In this case, Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) or oral sedatives may be used along with local anesthetics to keep you relaxed and comfortable while you are receiving dental treatment. Your dentist can use these medications to induce minimal or moderate sedation where you achieve a relaxed state but can still respond to speech or touch.
It is important to talk with your dentist about your fears and anxiety level as well as your medical history before you receive dental treatment. This will help you and your dentist to decide the level of pain relief/sedation that is most appropriate for you.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
The medications that you take, whether they are over the counter or prescribed by a doctor, have a significant effect on your oral health. For this reason, it is important to make your dentist aware of any medications you are currently taking or about to begin taking.
The most common side effect of medications is dry mouth. This can be detrimental to your oral health by increasing your risk for tooth decay. The saliva in your mouth functions to help prevent food from collecting around your teeth and neutralizes the acids produced by plaque. If they are not neutralized, those acids can damage the hard surfaces of your teeth.
Inhalers are medications used by many people with breathing problems such as Asthma and COPD. Inhaling medications through your mouth can negatively affect your gums, the lining of your cheeks and your tongue by causing an oral infection called oral candidiasis or “thrush.” Rinsing your mouth after using an inhaler can help to prevent thrush from occurring.
Cancer treatments can also have a significant effect on your oral health. If you are going to be undergoing treatment for cancer, it is a good idea to first visit your dentist so that she or he can ensure that your mouth is as healthy as possible before you begin treatment. Your dentist may also prescribe therapies to keep your mouth healthy while you are undergoing cancer treatment.
If your dentist is not aware of the medications you are taking, make him or her aware at your next dental appointment. If the medications you are currently taking are negatively affecting your oral health, it is important to make your dentist aware of this so he or she can prescribe the appropriate dental treatments to protect your oral health.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
It is Saturday morning and you chip your front tooth playing in a pick-up basketball game with some friends. You have an important presentation with some potential clients out-of-town on Monday at 3PM. How are you going to get your tooth fixed in time for your presentation? You want your audience to focus on your presentation, not your snaggle tooth!
Does your Dentist handle dental emergencies? Does he or she offer extended hours? If not, you may want to find one who does. Dental emergencies have a way of occurring at the most inopportune times. For this reason, many dental practices are offering emergency dental care and extended office hours. If your current dental practice does not offer these services, you don’t want to wait until you experience a dental emergency to find this out.
Extended hours provide more time to handle dental emergencies and enable working professionals to schedule dental appointments before and after working hours. Extended hours also allow stay-at-home mothers to schedule dental appointments during times when their spouses or other family members can keep their children. This prevents them from having to pay babysitting fees or shuffle multiple children to their dental appointments.
So you call your dental office and find out that they do handle dental emergencies and they do, indeed, offer extended hours. Thank goodness! You go in at 7AM on Monday morning and by 9AM, your tooth is fixed. Just in time to catch an 11AM flight so you can make your presentation at 3PM. Now, if you can just convince your potential clients to go with your firm…
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
We know that brushing and flossing your teeth, and eating a healthy diet promotes good oral health, but can it also help to reduce your risk for heart disease? Maybe so. Did you know that the plaque that builds up on the surfaces of your teeth and gums is the same plaque found in the arteries of patients who suffer from cardiovascular disease?
When plaque builds up on the surfaces of your teeth and gums, it can cause serious dental problems such as cavities and gum disease. Brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily helps to prevent the build up of plaque and the problems associated with it. However, once the plaque has been allowed to build up and has hardened into Tartar, it is hard to remove using a toothbrush and floss. Many times, it must be removed by a dental hygienist using special dental instruments. This is why getting regular dental cleanings is so important. It is recommended that most patients receive a professional dental cleaning every six months. If you have oral health issues such as tooth decay or gum disease, you may need to have your teeth professionally cleaned more frequently.
Your diet also has a significant effect on both your oral health and your cardiovascular health. Eating a well-balanced diet that is high in fiber and nutrient-rich foods such as whole grains and vegetables and low in sugar and starches helps to prevent dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease and cardiovascular problems such as, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Have you stopped to consider the relationship between your oral health and your cardiovascular health? Your oral health may be a good indicator of your cardiovascular health. If you are currently experiencing problems with your oral health, you may want to take a closer look at both your diet and your dental hygiene. It may also be a good idea to schedule a physical exam with a qualified physician to see what is going on with your cardiovascular system.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
Remember the old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Well, this is certainly true when it comes to your dental health. Taking preventative measures to protect against tooth decay and gum disease can save you the time, money and pain associated with these serious dental health problems. So what is the best way to protect your dental health? Practicing good oral hygiene including brushing your teeth two times per day and flossing your teeth at least once per day is a great way to start. Visiting a dentist for regular dental cleanings and checkups is also very important. It is recommended that most adults visit a dentist every six months for a routine dental cleaning and checkup. If you have issues with your dental health, you may need to see a dentist more often.
Other preventative measures include sealants, fluoride treatments and antimicrobial rinses. These may be prescribed by your dentist according to your individual needs. Sealants are a clear protective coating that is placed over the biting surfaces on the teeth in the back of the mouth. They are used to prevent cavities by shielding your teeth against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are commonly prescribed for children but can also be used in adults. Fluoride treatments can take the form of gels or varnishes that are painted onto the teeth or supplements that can be taken orally. They are commonly prescribed for children when there is not an adequate intake of Fluoride from available food and water sources. Antimicrobial rinses can be used to control plaque buildup which can lead to periodontal disease. For more information about any of these preventative measures, contact a qualified dentist in your local area.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
With all the different types and brands of toothbrushes available on the market today, how do you choose the one that is right for your needs? When choosing a toothbrush, you must first decide if you want to go with a manual (disposable) one or a powered (electric) model. Experts differ on which of these types is the best for your oral health, however, all agree that the most important thing is to brush effectively with some type of toothbrush at least twice per day. Electric models can be safer on your teeth and gums if you tend to brush too vigorously, however, the cost for electric toothbrushes tend to be much higher than manual toothbrushes.
Whether you choose an electric or a manual model, it is important to factor in both the size and the bristle variety. You should select a toothbrush that is the right size to allow easy access to all the surfaces of your teeth. For most adults, a head that is 1/2 inches wide and one inch long will work the best. It is also important to select a toothbrush with a handle that is long enough for you to comfortably hold it in your hand. As far as the bristle variety, you can choose from soft, medium and hard bristles. Soft bristled toothbrushes are the most comfortable and safest for most people as medium and hard bristled toothbrushes can damage your gums, root surfaces and protective tooth enamel if you brush too hard. If the bristles have rounded tips this will offer even more protection against damaging your teeth and gums.
If you are shopping for a new toothbrush, it is a good idea to get a recommendation from your dentist as far as which type will work best for your specific needs. It is also a good idea to select a toothbrush that has the seal of approval from the American Dental Assocation (ADA).
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
An increasing number of adults in the United States are rushing to the Orthodontist to get braces proving that it is never too late to improve your smile. What are the options for adults with crooked teeth? There are many. Traditional metal braces are often used for adults and are particularly effective when there are major bite problems involved. However, the cost (an average of $4,800 according to the October Journal of Clinical Orthodotics) and time commitment involved coupled with the “metal mouth” look causes many adults to steer clear of traditional metal braces. Often, adults with crooked teeth or less-than-perfect smiles will opt for clear or ceramic braces.
Another good option for adults who desire straighter teeth in less time is short-term orthodontics or “six-month smiles.” Six-month braces can allow you to get the esthetic, straightened look you desire in just six-months. This is done by mainly focusing on just the teeth in the front and not making major changes to your bite. It is similar to traditional braces but is much more esthetic as it uses white wire and white braces.
If you missed out on the chance to correct your teeth as a child, it is not too late. There are several options available to you. If you would like more information about the options available for straightening your teeth, contact a qualified Dentist in your local area. He or she can go over the advantages and disadvantages of each type of braces and help you select the method that most closely suits your needs as well as your budget.
Posted on the Behalf of Pure Dental Health.
