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Seniors and Oral Health

A common misconception is that as we age, we must lose our natural teeth. That’s not necessarily always true. With a lifetime of proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits to my Douglasville dental office, it’s possible to keep your teeth for your whole life. However dental care for seniors becomes particularly important.

Gum Disease

People of all ages are at risk for developing gum disease; however, by age 65, 1 in every 4 will have this dangerous disease. While it is treatable, it’s important to catch it early before it has a chance to affect the rest of the body. This makes regular visits to your dentist in Douglasville extremely important, especially for our senior citizens.

Gum disease may lead to some scary and unpleasant whole-body health problems and even more issues in the mouth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, 20-30 percent of adults have gum disease severe enough to lose their teeth. And that’s not all. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. To help keep your gums safe, avoid the following:

• Smoking
• Poor diet
• Inadequate oral hygiene

Dry Mouth

As we age, the number of medications we take tends to increase. While this change is good for helping ease any problems you may have, it can be detrimental to your oral health. Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may cause dry mouth. Dry mouth is an uncomfortable and dangerous problem as it greatly increases the chance of decay, gum disease, and other oral infections.

Whole Body

Your mouth is directly linked with the rest of your body. If you want to keep your body in tip-top shape, you need to take care of your mouth. Additionally, it’s incredibly important to let your dentist in Douglasville know of any health conditions you may have, including, but not limited to, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, as these can all affect your oral health and will dictate the path of treatment most appropriate to you.

We always encourage you to maintain proper oral hygiene and keep up with regular dental appointments for optimal overall health, especially as you age. Seniors are important individuals to all of us here at my dental office in Douglasville, and we love to care for some of the most special smiles.

Serving patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and surrounding areas.

5 Bad Habits That are Harming Your Teeth

Even if you brush twice a day, floss once a day, and maintain regular visits to my dental office in Douglasville, you may be causing damage to your teeth without even knowing it. There are many common habits that most of us do subconsciously, and these habits can be detrimental to teeth.

1. Teeth Are Not Tools. No matter how easy it may seem to simply use your teeth to open that bag of chips, remove that tag from new clothing, or open that jar of nail polish, it’s definitely not worth it! Using teeth as tools to open any pesky package can result in serious damage like chipped teeth and broken restorations. Saving a few seconds by using teeth instead of grabbing the proper tool just isn’t worth it.
2. Brushing Softly is Best. There’s no need to vigorously scrub your teeth. In fact, doing so can create serious damage. Hard bristles and rough brushing can contribute to sensitivity, worn down enamel, and irritated gums. Instead, choose a soft bristled toothbrush and gently brush teeth at a 45 degree angle for best results.

3. Cool it on Ice Crunching. Ice is one of teeth’s worst enemies. It’s not only super hard, it’s also super cold; two things that don’t go well for teeth. Crunching on ice is a great way to fracture teeth and get tiny cracks in them. Down the road, these tiny cracks lead to much bigger problems.

4. Keep Fingers Away! Biting nails is another dental habit that leads to tooth damage, among other things. Your fingernails are dirty and biting them allows all the germs hiding underneath to enter the body (yuck!). Also, fingernails are hard, really hard, and chronic biting can cause teeth to shift, break, or crack.

5. And Pens Too! Like nail biting, it’s a common habit to park a pen or pencil between your teeth at meetings or when deep in thought. This, too, places a lot of pressure on teeth, causing them to shift, crack, or damaging dental restorations.

All habits are hard to break, and dental habits are no exception. So try your best to catch yourself and work on fixing them. Need some tips for helpful ways to break a habit? Talk to any of us at my Douglasville dental office!

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and surrounding areas.

How Your Oral Health is Linked with Sunshine

During the winter months, our friend the sun tends to disappear on us. When it is out, we might be at work or it’s just too cold to go soak up some rays. With less sunlight during the winter months than the rest of the year, we get shortchanged on our natural supply of vitamin D. At my dental office in Douglasville, we like vitamin D because it helps keep your smile healthy.

The Sun Will Come Out, Tomorrow (or we hope so!)

The sun is a powerful thing. It not only keeps our planet from going into a deep freeze, it also provides quite a few health benefits. Getting a daily dose of sunshine can boost your mood, improve your immune system, and kickstart vitamin D production.

So What’s So Great About Vitamin D?

Since vitamin D helps to regulate your immune system, it is your first line of defense. Studies have shown that vitamin D can help your pancreas make insulin, lower blood pressure, and aid in the absorption of calcium. Since calcium makes our teeth and bones super strong, a healthy supply of vitamin D is extremely important for a healthy mouth.

No Sun? Eat Your Vitamin D!

The sun isn’t the only source of this nutrient. You can also increase your intake of vitamin D by eating foods that contain a lot of it such as:

• Eggs
• Fatty fish like Salmon
• Milk
• Supplements

No matter how, make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D.  Research shows that a lack of vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, increased risk for type 1 diabetes, and even serious cancers of the breast, colon, or prostate.

Make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your smile healthy, including eating a healthy, well balanced diet and visiting my Douglasville dental office regularly.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and surrounding areas.

Tooth Sensitivity: What to do When Both Heat & Cold Bother You

Cold drinks, hot soup, and a whole lot of pain. If you’re struggling with eating what you want without pain, especially if it’s common with hot or cold foods, you’re probably suffering from sensitive teeth. At my Douglasville dental office, we hear this often and we’d like to help.

The Why

There are many reasons your teeth could be susceptible to pain while eating or drinking something hot or cold. One of the most common is the tooth’s root structure has become exposed. This anatomy of the tooth contains a lot of nerves, and when it’s open to contact with elements, the pain can be extreme. The root structures typically become exposed through gum recession or eroded enamel, both of which can be caused by grinding, a lot of acidic drinks, and even aggressive brushing.

How to Fix It

• Toothpaste Choice. By simply changing your toothpaste, you can help ease pain caused by sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, it’s wise to avoid toothpastes that contain sodium pyrophosphate, which is found found many whitening and tartar-control pastes. Instead, choose a toothpaste that designed specially for sensitive teeth and use it regularly.

• Softer is Better. When selecting a toothbrush, make sure you choose one that has soft bristles. Hard-bristled brushes can contribute to wear and tear on the tooth’s enamel and put you at increased risk for sensitivity. Additionally, brushing too hard can lead to similar results. If your brush’s bristles are sporadically angled, chances are you’re brushing too hard.

• Easy on the Soda. And acidic juice and food. The more acidic the food or drink, the more damage to your tooth enamel and the more likely you’ll suffer from sensitivity pain. Choosing water over soda is always wise.

If sensitive teeth are keeping you from enjoying the foods and drinks you love and you can’t seem to ease the pain, call my dental office in Douglasville. We’ll work with you to determine what may be causing your sensitivity and talk about proper treatments to get you back to eating and drinking without pain. Some common treatments may include application of a desensitizing agent, bonding, or sometimes a root canal.

Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and neighboring areas.

“Why is Biting My Nails so Bad?”

Whether it’s out of boredom, nervousness, or your nails just get too long and nail clippers aren’t handy, biting your nails is one of the most common habits. While nail biting may seem to ease stress, at my Douglasville dental office, we want you to know that it’s not only a great way to transfer germs that could make you sick, it could also lead to a variety of dental problems.

• Chips. We’re not talking about the salty, crunchy kind. We’re referring to the tooth enamel damage caused by nail biting. Fingernails are hard, and gnawing on them can lead to chips or cracks in the teeth.

• Wear and Tear. Like the rest of your body, your teeth need to take periodic breaks. If you’re constantly putting stress on them by nail biting, teeth may begin to wear down and could become uneven.

• Jaw Issues. Biting your nails may lead to TMJ Disorder, which causes painful headaches, locking or popping of the jaw, or jaw pain. Because of the abnormal way your jaw needs to move around to nibble off a nail, it may throw the alignment out of whack, leading to TMJ Disorders.

• Back to the Grind. The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) states that nail biters may be putting themselves at greater risk for bruxism, or unintentional grinding or clenching of teeth. Grinding and clenching can lead their own host of problems including jaw issues, headaches, and tooth damage.

• Dental Bills. Since there is such a strong correlation between nail biting and dental problems, it’s not surprising that those who are chronic nail biters end up having higher dental bills than non-biters. According to the AGD, people who bite their nails end up paying an additional $4,000 in dental bills throughout their lifetime.

If you’ve been biting your nails and can’t seem to stop, give my dental office in Douglasville a call. We can talk about ways others have successfully broken the habit, check your mouth of any potential side effects, and work with you to get your mouth healthy.

Welcoming patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and neighboring areas.

Top Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season

The holidays are well upon us, and there’s never been a better time to celebrate friendships, spend time with family, and be grateful for our health. However, with the hustle and bustle of parties every weekend, fulfilling wish lists pages deep, and all that food, it’s also a time when our health is at increased risk. At my dental office in Douglasville, we’re always focused on our patients’ health, and not just in their mouths, but throughout their entire bodies. With that philosophy always at the forefront of everything we do, this holiday season we’d like to share some tips for making your holiday season a healthy one.

Be Stress Free

Over the holidays, life seems to become so incredibly busy, it’s like there’s never a chance to breathe, let alone enjoy it. Try breaking the cycle of constantly being stressed by following these tips.

• Don’t overcommit. If you’re inundated with piles of invitations to holiday parties, don’t feel obligated to accept them all. Overcommitment to more events than you can handle can lead to loss of sleep and an increased risk of getting sick. Politely pass on some of those parties and stay in to relax instead.

• Stay within budget. Start your holidays by setting a budget, then stay within it. Managing the amount of money you’re comfortable spending on gifts, food, and travel can keep your stress levels low and give you one less thing to worry about.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry – Just Not Too Much

One of the best parts of the holidays is the variety of food and drinks available at every turn. While we’d never tell to you skip out on enjoying a holiday feast, your dentist in Douglasville will encourage you to monitor your intake of food and alcohol. Overeating can lead to an upset stomach, so watch how much you consume. The same thing applies to alcohol. If you’re of age, partaking a glass of wine with dinner or a dessert of eggnog is absolutely acceptable, just don’t overdo it. Alternate every alcoholic drink with a glass of water, and try to limit yourself to two adult beverages per party. Nothing compromises your immune system or makes you feel sicker than a hangover that belongs on the naughty list.

Wash Your Hands Often

During the holidays, we interact with more people, visit more houses, and are presented with more opportunities to swap germs. This makes washing your hands well and often really important. Scrub with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to rinse away harmful germs that can make you sick and put a damper on your holiday.

Everyone at my dental office in Douglasville wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. Following these tips can help make it a healthy one too.

Welcoming patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and surrounding areas.

What to Expect if You Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Awhile

Several things can keep you from visiting the dentist every six months as normally recommended. A bad experience, a fear of the dentist, finances, or maybe you’re just too busy. However, when you make the decision to get back in the dental chair, you may still feel reluctant. The team at my Douglasville dental office wants to ease your concerns and help you understand what you can expect at your first visit.

A Lecture-Free Zone

One of the main fears patients have when they’re getting ready to come back is fear of a lecture. When you visit your dentist in Douglasville, we don’t want you to be afraid of getting chastised. Our philosophy doesn’t include making our patients feel guilty, but rather we talk with you about your concerns and work together to ease them. With us, you’re never in trouble and we’re always here to help.

A Longer Visit

Your first visit after a hiatus will typically warrant a longer visit. This isn’t to scare you but because we like to spend time getting to know our patients personally and familiarizing ourselves with their mouths. We’ll also perform a thorough evaluation that will most likely include x-rays, a comprehensive exam, and cleaning. We’ll move at your pace and constantly ensure that you’re at ease.

Cavities

If it’s a been a few years since you’ve seen a dentist, there is a good chance that you have some decay and cavities. However, they’re nothing to fear. Most people, even those who do see the dentist every six months, get several cavities throughout their lifetime. But thanks to improvements in dental technology, treatment is easier, less painful, and faster than ever before. Getting a cavity filled is a much better option than leaving it untreated as a cavity that is left to fester can lead to more serious problems.

Whether it’s been a few months, years, or decades since you last visited the dentist, we’re here to welcome you to my dental office in Douglasville. Our goal is not only to get your mouth healthy, but to make sure you’re comfortable and that you’re an active part of your health care team. We welcome you to talk to us about your concerns so we can help ease your worries and get your smile back to health, beauty, and strength.

Welcoming patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, Villa Ricca, and surrounding areas.

Are You a Mouth Breather?

We all mouth breathe a little bit during a cold, while running, or when lifting something heavy; however, doing it all the time may have negative effects on your dental health. Most people who are chronic mouth breathers do not even realize it, which is especially distressing for all of us at my Douglasville dental office.

People don’t mouth breathe because they choose to, they typically do it because there’s something wrong with the nasal passage. When you can’t get enough oxygen by breathing through your nose, you do the only other thing you can – you breathe out of your mouth. Chronic mouth breathing may result in some serious dental and facial issues.

When a child mouth breathes, it may actually  impact the natural growing process of their face. When we use our mouths to breathe, our posture has to change to keep the airway open. In a kid, if mouth breathing and this change in posture is left untreated, it may lead to a long, narrow face, a narrow or flat nose, a short upper lip, and a pouty lower lip. Additionally, it could create some other concerning oral health problems in both children and adults.

Many people don’t know the multitude of issues that are linked to mouth breathing, which worries your dentist in Douglasville. However, the many problems associated with mouth breathing are so serious, they were highlighted in a study conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry. Chronic mouth breathing may lead to overcrowded teeth, a gummy smile, problems with facial development, even with the overall health of your mouth.

Using your mouth to breathe instead of your nose increases your risk for several oral health issues. Breathing out of your mouth dries it out and decreases saliva production. Without saliva, dangerous acids and bacteria are left to create problems like tooth decay and gingivitis. More so, mouth breathing can lead to chronic bad breath, poor sleep, headaches, and sore throats.

Some Signs & Symptoms

• Dry lips
• Crowded teeth
• Snoring and open mouth while sleeping
• Increased number of airway infections including sinus, ear, colds
• Chronic bad breath

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of mouth breathing, or if you know you are a mouth breather, call my dental office in Douglasville. We have the ability to recognize mouth breathing and can work with you to fix the problem and get your mouth, and quality of life, back to health.

Serving patients in Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Ricca.

“Do I Need to Take Antibiotics Before my Dental Visit?”

Taking antibiotics prior to a visit to your Douglasville dentist used to be a common practice if you had a heart condition or received a joint replacement; however, this may no longer be the case. Recent research has shown that the use of too many antibiotics could actually outweigh the benefits, and using them as a precaution isn’t doing much good.

Taking a precautionary antibiotic before dental appointments, even cleanings, was initially prescribed to those with heart conditions or joint replacements in an attempt to lower the chance of infection. Many believed that bacteria in the mouth could enter the bloodstream during a dental procedure and cause an infection. However, after considerable research, it was concluded that precautionary antibiotic prescriptions were practiced solely on theory, and there is no scientific evidence that preemptive antibiotics help stop infections. In fact, it was determined that overuse of antibiotics could actually do more harm than good.

Using antibiotics as a preventive measure could lead to a worse result than if they weren’t used at all. The overuse of antibiotics leads to an increase in the chance of bacteria becoming resistant. When this happens, the bacteria continue to cause or enhance infection since the same antibiotics no longer kill them. Thus, the bacteria can become stronger and lead to greater damage.

However, while using antibiotics as a precaution against infection during dental treatment isn’t common anymore, there are still some individuals who should take antibiotics before visiting their dentist in Douglasville. Those with artificial heart valves, a history of infective endocarditis, certain congentital heart conditions, or a cardiac transplant that has developed a heart valve problem are some of the patients the American Heart Association recommends the use of precautionary antibiotics.

The best way to make sure you’re getting the protection you need is to ask your primary care physician or cardiologist if preventive antibiotics are appropriate for you.

A healthy at-home oral hygiene routine and keeping up with regular visits to my dental office in Douglasville will go a long way to preventing infection. This duo of oral health care helps keep bacteria levels to a minimum and decreases the risk of more advanced dental treatments.

Serving patients in Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Ricca.

Female Hormones & Their Impact on Oral Health

Women undergo several hormonal changes throughout their lives, causing hormone levels to fluctuate. This fluctuation can not only cause changes in the body, but in the mouth as well. At my Douglasville dental office, we want to cater to our female patients, and this blog can explain how their hormonal changes affect their oral health.

Because of the unique hormonal changes women experience, chances for oral health problems actually increase. When hormone levels adjust, the blood supply to the gum tissue is affected, as well as the body’s response to toxins caused by plaque. This makes women more susceptible to gum disease and other oral health problems during certain stages in their lives when the hormonal changes are particularly extreme.

Puberty

The first major change in female hormones occurs during puberty. When a woman enters puberty, the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone surge. This increase in hormone levels not only cause changes to the body, it can also change how your mouth reacts to bacteria. During puberty, blood flow to the gums actually increases, causing changes to the gum tissue and its behavior. The increase in blood flow can cause the gums to become red, tender, and swollen, and can affect how well your mouth can fight off bacteria in plaque.

Childbearing Years

Following puberty, females begin to experience monthly menstrual cycles. During these monthly cycles, the progesterone and estrogen levels again increase. This increase can cause a multitude of side effects, some of them including bright red gums, bleeding gums, swollen gums or salivary glands, and canker sores. It’s even common for women to experience menstruation gingivitis a day or two before the start of their cycle, which usually clears up in a few days.

Some women may choose to start a birth control regime during this phase of her life. This can also put you at risk for damage to the gum tissue. Certain birth control medications that contain progesterone can cause your body to overreact to the bacteria and toxins caused by plaque, often resulting in swollen gums.

It’s also not uncommon during these years for women to choose to start a family. During pregnancy, hormonal levels change dramatically. An rise in progesterone can increase your chance for gum disease. Gum disease brought on by hormonal changes experienced in pregnancy is known as pregnancy gingivitis and is usually found between months two and eight of the pregnancy. Because of this, your Douglasville dentist may recommend more frequent visits for cleanings and exams.

Menopause

As women age, hormonal changes are again at a peak, causing a variety of oral complications. From altered taste and increased sensitivity, to dry mouth and decreased bone density, menopause can result in some serious concerns. Dry mouth can lead to tooth decay and gum disease since saliva isn’t there to help clean the mouth. Loss of bone can lead to tooth loss, decay, and receding gums.

While it’s important for all of our patients to maintain regular checkups at my dental office in Douglasville, it’s even more important for our female patients. If you’re going through a crucial period in your life, or are looking for a new dentist, please give us a call today. We’ll make sure your mouth is in healthy shape and work with you through all stages of your life.

Welcoming patients in Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Ricca.