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Green can be good for your teeth!!
Asian health care providers have long talked about the positive effects of green tea for dental health. Studies now demonstrate how green tea works against bacteris that cause cavities in teeth. Green tea also contains flouride, which protects teeth from cavities. Green tea comes in a variety of flavors as well as decaffinated blends. Try some next time you're in the grocery store.
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Cranberries May Help Prevent Tooth Decay and Cavities, Research Suggests
Scientists have found a compound in cranberries that can stop bacteria from clinging to the teeth, blocking the formation of damaging plaque deposits.
HOWEVER, researcher Dr. Hyuan Koo warns many cranberry-containing products are loaded with sugar and consuming large amounts could lead to tooth decay.
Dr. Koo says people shouldn't eat or drink excessive amounts of cranberry-containing products in an attempt to improve their dental health. Many cranberry products contain large amounts of sugar which is the leading cause of tooth decay. The fruit also contains a natural acid that can strip away essential minerals in the teeth.
When we eat something acidic, the enamel on our teeth is softened temporarily. Saliva will neutralise this acidity in your mouth and restore it to its natural balance over time. Teeth will erode if this happens too often, as the mouth does not have a chance to repair itself. Tooth decay is caused by sugar, and erosion can leave you more open to this condition. Eating cranberries should be limited to mealtimes only to avoid potential problems with our teeth.
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Pregnancy and Dental Health
Dental visits during pregnancy are very important. Oral infections should be treated immediately because they can rapidly spread thoughout the body. Systemic infections can adversely affect the unborn child. If you are experiencing pain, emergency treatment and minimal emergency radiograchs should be completed immediately. Annual dental exams and routine teeth cleanings are encouraged, however, elective treatment should be postponed until after the birth of the baby. Routine radiographs should also be postponed.
Gum disease is an imflammation or infection of the gums and bone that support our teeth. Gingivitis is the early stage, when the gums become inflamed. Periodontitis is the next stage when infection sets in causing the gums pull away from the teeth. This is called gum pocketing. The third stage is advanced periodontitis, when gum pocketing and bone loss cause the teeth to become loose. Teeth may fall out or have to be removed. Recent studies have indicated a connection between periodontitis and heart disease. Researchers believe there is a link between oral bacteria and clogged arteries and blood clots. They have also found links between oral bacteria and pre-term babies, diabetes, pneumonia, and osteoporosis.
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Baby Boomers and Oral Health
Baby Boomers looking for the warning signs of adult-onset diseases may be overlooking key symptoms in their mouth that should signal alarms about their overall health. Boomers failure to recognize that oral health holds valuable clues could negatively impact their overall health.
-- According to the American Diabetes Assoc., 90 to 95 percent of diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, the onset of which usually occurs after age 45. Bad breath and bleeding gums are often indicators of diabetes. Only 29% of boomers surveyed are aware of this connection.
--The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 44,000,000 Americans are at risk for osteoporosis. 97% of boomers do not discuss their risk of this disease with their dentist. Dental x-rays may show the first signs of bone loss.
--The American Hearth Assn. reports that heart disease is the number 1 killer of Americans. A sore and painful jaw should send a warning signal to older Americans that a heart attach may be looming. 60 percent of Americans did not identify this symptom as a sign of a pontential heart attack.
People may lack knowledge about these factors, however they do not lack experience with these symptoms. 25 percent of baby boomers reported that they had experienced one or more of these telling signs. Knowledge of these symptoms and their potential indications may help boomers to recognize a more serious condition.
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General Dental Care Information
Decay happens when food particles and germs are not removed from your teeth. The decay creates a hole in the tooth called a cavity. Cavities are also called dental caries. Untreated tooth decay, or cavities, and gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Cavities are the most common disease of childhood. Early tooth loss from poor dental health can cause problems in children such as underweight, poor appearance, impaired speech, inability to concentrate and school absences. Tooth loss in adults affects their appearance, limits the foods they can eat, and contributes to nutritional problems than can affect other parts of the body.
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