Good oral hygiene and dental habits are incredibly important. Without proper care, teeth will decay and cause any number of health complications. Cavities, toothaches, bad breath, gum disease, and more are all caused by bad oral and eating habits. Of course, they are all preventable as well and choosing the right foods and dental care habits can make all the difference between beautiful, healthy teeth and rotten, decaying ones.

Bad Eating Habits

One of the most common causes of tooth decay and oral health issues is bad eating habits. Crunching on something like leftover ice can cause teeth to fracture. So can sucking on things like fruit pits. Using teeth to tear open plastic bags is another bad habit that can cause potential damage. Teeth are not tools and they are not meant to crunch on cold, hard pieces of ice for prolonged periods of time.

There are also foods that need to be avoided as well. Sugary foods are at the top of the list as excess sugar remains on teeth and turns to bacteria and plaque. Other foods to avoid are sticky foods, acidic foods, foods low in nutritional value, and supersized foods. None of these are beneficial to oral health and all have the potential to cause bacteria and plaque buildup.

Nervous Habits

Nervous habits like teeth grinding and chewing on things like pencils, pens, or toothpicks are also detrimental to oral hygiene. Teeth grinding wears on the edges of teeth and can cause breakage. The same is true for nervous chewing on inanimate objects. Avoid using teeth for anything other than eating if possible.

The Right Dental Equipment

Using the right toothbrush is important when considering proper oral health care. Firmer isn’t always better. For people with sensitive teeth or gums, firm bristles can be uncomfortable and can even cause more damage to the gums.

Just as choosing the wrong toothbrush is harmful, so is incorrect brushing or flossing. Patients should brush their teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily. Never brush too hard or too often. Cover both the inside and outside of tooth surfaces and never start in the same place for back to back brushings. Lastly, remember to rinse and remove all excess toothpaste.

By eliminating bad habits and focusing on good oral hygiene, a lot of potential dental problems can be avoided. Prevention is the best medicine for dealing with bad dental habits.

Diabetes is a terrible disease with an enormous impact on the lives of those affected. There are numerous health risks and side effects of the disease for diabetes patients and among those is the risk of periodontal (gum) disease. If diabetes sufferers fail to properly control sugar intake, the higher levels of glucose in their mouth can encourage growth of more bacteria. If left untreated, this excessive bacteria presence can lead to gingivitis and periodontal disease.

How Periodontal Disease Works

Periodontal (gum) disease develops when bacteria and plaque overwhelm a patient’s teeth. Infection develops and over time, bone, gums and tissue deteriorate and are destroyed. At that point, the damage is extensive and treatment is done by deep cleaning, scaling, root planing, and eventual surgery. Missing or damaged teeth will have to be extracted, filled, or replaced with crowns or bridges.

Vicious Cycle

Patients with both diabetic and periodontal risk have even more to worry about. One of the biggest issues with diabetes in relation to periodontal disease is the fact that the two are part of a vicious cycle that feed off each other. Patients with diabetes who allow glucose to damage teeth and cause periodontal disease also find that periodontal disease increases blood sugar levels. One is caused by the other and in turn, returns the favor.

Eating Right Matters

There are ways to get a handle on the risk of periodontal disease for diabetic patients. High sugar content is the enemy of both diabetes and oral healthcare. A patient can go a long way toward preventing gum disease and diabetic side effects by getting a firm grip on sugar intake. Eating right can make all the difference and not only will it benefit oral health and diabetic issues, the right menu can add to overall health and well being.

Prevention Tips

Proper oral hygiene habits can make a huge impact on eliminating the probability of developing periodontal disease. Even if a person is suffering from diabetes and their sugar intake is higher than it should be, proper brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups will make a difference.

The important thing to remember when dealing with periodontal disease is to eliminate the cause factors associated with its inception. Keeping teeth clean and free of bacteria and plaque are crucial. Since sugar and glucose are substantial contributors to both bacteria and plaque, removal is the key. Take preventative steps and hopefully diabetes won’t lead to periodontal disease.

A dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition where the salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Once this happens, there is no way for food debris or bacteria to be washed from the surface of teeth and this can greatly increase the chances of cavities and periodontal (gum) disease. Although a dry mouth may seem insignificant at first, if it persists, consulting a dentist is highly recommended as the consequences can be dire.

Causes of Xerostomia

A side effect from prescription drug use is one potential cause of xerostomia. Drugs used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, acne, epilepsy, hypertension, asthma, and more all carry the risk of causing xerostomia. Certain medical conditions also have the ability to cause dry mouth. Nerve damage and dehydration are both possibilities. Lifestyle choices also affect a person’s potential for developing xerostomia. Smoking, eating sugary foods, and continuously breathing with an open mouth each add to the likelihood of developing xerostomia.

Gum Disease

Inflammation of the gum caused by excessive plaque and bacteria is known as gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis escalates into full blown periodontal (gum) disease. The gum is fully infected at that point and if nothing is done, the bone and connective tissue that holds teeth in place will disintegrate.

From Xerostomia to Gum Disease

A patient with xerostomia is a prime candidate to eventually suffer from gum disease. Without treatment, xerostomia allows bacteria and plaque to stay on teeth where it will first evolve into gingivitis and then periodontal (gum) disease. Once a patient has developed gum disease, he or she will experience symptoms like persistent bad breath, swollen or red gums that may bleed, pain while chewing, loose or sensitive teeth, and receding gums.

Treatments

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is especially true of dry mouth (xerostomia). Treatment of xerostomia is best done by changing bad habits and addressing the ongoing causes of the condition. Taking steps like limiting caffeine, limiting use of antihistamines and decongestants, breathing through the nose and not the mouth, and placing a humidifier in living and sleeping areas can all mean the difference between eliminating the risk of xerostomia and allowing it to escalate into full blow periodontal (gum) disease.

Once xerostomia has evolved into periodontal disease, treatment options can be far more severe. Treatments begin with professional cleaning, scaling and root planing. If that isn’t enough, surgery, bone grafts, soft tissue grafts, and guided tissue regeneration may be considered. Overall, early attention and treatment are best. If possible, try not to allow xerostomia to evolve into the much more damaging periodontal disease.

When a tooth has been infected or badly decayed, it can cause severe pain and lead to other dental complications. Failing to treat the tooth can cause long-term consequences because the tissue around the tooth can become infected. Eventually, an abscess can form around the tooth.

If you are experiencing pain or your dentist has suggested root canal therapy, it is essential that you take action right away to schedule an appointment for the treatment. Here are a few things that you need to know when you are going in for a root canal:

What is a Root Canal Procedure?

During this treatment, the dentist will first numb the area so that you don’t feel any pain. Then, a drill is used to access the inner area of the tooth. The pulp and nerve are taken out and the tooth is treated to take care of the infection.

Once the inside of the tooth is removed, it is necessary to clean the area thoroughly to eliminate any trace of the infection. Next, the inside of the tooth is sealed and filled in. The dentist will usually finish by topping the tooth with a crown to strengthen the remaining structure.

Don’t I Need a Nerve in My Tooth?

The central area of the tooth is soft tissue, and this natural cavity is referred to as the “root canal.” The nerve is located within this canal, and it must be removed during the treatment. Some patients are worried about having the nerve removed, but the nerve is not a vital part of the function and health of the tooth.

The nerve functions for sensory purposes, to sense cold and hot temperatures. When the nerve has been removed, it doesn’t impact the day-to-day function of your tooth. That particular tooth will no longer be able to sense the temperature, but the surrounding teeth will still have this sensory function if they still have the nerves in place.

Why a Root Canal Treatment is Necessary

If it has been suggested that you need a root canal, then you need to understand that this treatment is not optional. The treatment is an effective way to save your tooth so that you don’t need to have it extracted. Many people agree that a root canal is a better option compared to tooth extraction.

The technology has radically changed over the years, making it easier than ever to feel comfortable during the root canal treatment. For more information about this treatment, contact our office right away!