Eat Healthy for a Healthy Smile
Healthy food is good for your smile as well as for your body. Eat healthy this month during National Nutrition Month, and give yourself something to smile about!
Dr. Christine Haag, a dentist with First Choice Dental says, “It’s important to understand the strong link between nutrition and dental health.” She explains, “In fact, oral tissues like gums, teeth, and even chewing muscles are living tissues, and they have the same nutritional requirements as any other living tissue in the body.” She adds, “Diet not only affects the number and kinds of cavities, but can also be an important factor in the development of periodontal disease, or gum disease.”
In addition to brushing and flossing, eating nutritious food helps promote good dental health. Haag says, “Certain foods can help neutralize the acids in our mouth which can help fight bacteria that causes tooth decay.” She explains, “Cavities and gum disease are caused by bacteria that “accumulate” on the teeth and gums and causes plaque. If the plaque isn’t brushed away, the bacteria in plaque can wear away tooth enamel.”
How Can Conscious Sedation Help with Dental Fear?
Conscious sedation dentistry can help the millions of Americans who suffer from dental anxiety or overwhelming fear of going to the dentist. Just as others suffer from fear of heights, crowds, or open spaces, phobic dental patients' fear is very real. What often results is a long-term avoidance of dental visits, even for basic cleanings, which can lead to more serious dental and health problems or severe mouth pain later in life. This is where conscious sedation dentistry can help.
“Sometimes we see patients who have not visited a dentist in more than 25 years,” says Dr. David Penwell, a sedation dentist with First Choice Dental in Verona, Wisconsin, “but now, they are forced to come, because of severe pain or dental problems they can no longer ignore.”
How Can Conscious Sedation Dentistry Help?
Through sedation dentistry, sedation dentists like Penwell, who have received sub-specialty training in this area, are able to offer patients conscious sedation dentistry for their appointments. Penwell explains, “In conscious sedation dentistry, we use medication in pill form to relax the patient. No inhalation sedation (laughing gas) or intravenous needles are used.” Patients are given a dose of oral medication the night before their appointment, and then oral medication throughout the appointment as well – generally crushed, and placed under their tongue for rapid and easy absorption. During the procedure patients are able to walk, talk, and follow directions from their sedation dentist, but are more relaxed and don’t generally remember much of the appointment.
Tips for a More Kissable Smile
Could your breath wilt a flower? Do you shy away from your sweetie when you smile? Here are some simple tips you can follow to have a healthier, more kissable smile by Valentine’s Day.
What Your Teeth are Telling You: Your Smile Could Show Signs of Diabetes and Other Health Risks
Diabetes dental treatment isn't a phrase many people are used to hearing, but it's true that regular dental checkups and taking care of diabetes dental problems like red, swollen gums or receding gums, can be one way to help with controlling diabetes.
In a December 2011 Wall Street Journal article entitled If Your Teeth Could Talk, health experts outlined how your teeth, gums and even lips are early indicators of health issues elsewhere in your body, including diabetes dental problems. This article speaks out on a topic that First Choice Dental dentists and hygienists are very familiar with and share with patients on a daily basis. You're not truly healthy unless your smile is healthy.
Diabetes affects almost 24 million Americans each year and can result in diabetes dental problems. In fact, diabetes dental problems can actually worsen or even cause diabetes if left untreated. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably know it can cause problems with eye health or increase risks associated kidney or heart disease. But did you know that diabetes can cause diabetes dental problems, including serious gum disease? These issues can also be your first warning signs to signal when diabetes is present or not being properly controlled.
According to Dr. Joe Sharkus, a dentist with First Choice Dental Group, the most common diabetes dental problems are:
Don’t Let Halloween Treats Play Tricks on Your Healthy Teeth!
Halloween is just around the corner, and whether you are sending your own trick-or-treaters out the door, or deciding what to hand out to the ghosts and goblins on your door step, First Choice Dental Group recommends you consider what types of candy will be the least harmful to your teeth.
Dr. Christine Haag, a dentist with First Choice Dental Group’s East Madison Office says, “Halloween treats can be enjoyed, but you should monitor and choose certain treats that are better for your teeth than others.” She explains, “The bacteria in your mouth feeds on sugar to produce acid which causes tooth decay so it’s important to choose treats that will dissolve more quickly, such as chocolate kisses or chocolate candies, rather than sticky, chewy treats, or candy with fillings.” She notes, “Chocolate may be high in sugar, but it will dissolve quickly in your mouth, and won’t stick to your teeth for a long period of time.” She says, “But candies such as candy corn, taffy or caramel are more likely to stick to your teeth, which will cause the bacteria in your mouth to convert the sugar to acid, thereby encouraging tooth decay and cavities.” Dr. Haag adds, “It is also important is to consider whether or not your trick-or-treaters have braces. Soft chocolates or peanut buttercups are much better choices than hard or chewy candy or popcorn balls, which can damage braces and prolong treatment.”
