Oral Hygiene and Cardiovascular Disease

A recent study in the British Medical Journal has suggested that people who don’t brush their teeth twice daily are more susceptible to having heart disease in the future. In the past, most researches were concerned with the role of oral and gingival inflammation in building up atherosclerosis; in fact, this is the first study to examine if the number of teeth brushing has an impact on developing CV diseases, or not. The data was collected from Scottish Health Survey, which was performed on all adult participants . Results have revealed that participants who brushed their teeth less frequently had higher risks of heart disease than individuals who reported teeth brushing twice daily. Scientists believe that bad oral hygiene increases the risk for heart diseases through flaring systemic inflammation. Usually, the increased inflammation is associated with generalized homeostatic responses, besides; periodontal infection is proved to cause the disturbance of lipid metabolism, which will eventually cause most types of cardiovascular disease.
Bottom line is that there is absolutely no substitute for proper oral hygiene . Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily has numerous benefits that extend well beyond  the mouth!

Multidisciplinary Team

Many years ago a primary dentist was a jack-of-all-trades when it came to different arenas of dentistry. A dentist would fill your cavities, pull your wisdom teeth, preform Root Canal Treatments if necessary and manage your gums. This approach worked at the time mainly because the level of sophistication in diagnosing and treating dental conditions was relatively low. However in this day and age there have been such amazing advances in all categories of dentistry, that the old one-size-fits-all approach is no longer the best option clinically for the patient. A more comprehensive approach, by today's standards, is referred to as a multidisciplinary approach where a group of providers specializing in different areas, collaborate in treating a patient. The primary dentist or in my case a Prosthodontist would initiate the treatment and make the appropriate referrals when necessary. This allows the patient to receive the best and most advanced care no matter what the necessary treatment is. We have been practicing this approach for many years at Elite Dental Studios, utilizing the very best resources available to provide the absolutely best dental care possible for our patients!    

Self Image

In my experience, how people take care of their mouths is often a reflection of how they feel about themselves. Those who feel good about themselves take good oral care and people who have a poor self image generally do not take good care of their mouth. It has also been shown that this works in reverse meaning that addressing one's dental health/aesthetics will usually lead to a better quality of life and self image! This holds especially true for cosmetic procedures. Often I am witness to a patient's general well being and attitude improving substantially after cosmetic treatments such as whitening and/or porcelain veneers. This in turn is extremely rewarding to myself and my staff and creates a deep appreciation for what we do!

Cosmetic Dentistry

Are you dissatisfied with the appearance of your smile? Does the color, shape and/or position of your teeth embarrass you? Do you ever smile with your mouth closed or cover your teeth with your hand? If you answered yes to any of these questions you are a candidate for cosmetic dentistry. In fact, anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of their smile is a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry. Today’s advanced cosmetic procedures have truly come a long way and can transform any smile into the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Cosmetic dentistry covers a multitude of safe and proven methods from smile whitening to repairing, straightening or replacing teeth. A well qualified cosmetic dentist should be able to carry out a comprehensive smile analysis in addition to periodic examinations, to come up with the plan that best suits you. Even the most unsightly smiles can be improved and usually relatively easily as well. Many procedures can be completed in one to three simple visits. Many people are simply amazed to discover the difference cosmetic dentistry can make in their appearance and self-confidence.

Botox

Most people do not associate Botox treatments under a dental setting, but this is about to change.
More and more dentists are becoming trained in Botox application and as it turns out, it is a perfect match for the profession. Very few health care professionals have as much intimate knowledge of the anatomy and function of the musculature and neural pathways of the head and neck. Also dentists as a whole are absolutely proficient in giving injections on a daily, almost hourly basis.
Botox is a purified protein derived from an organic compound, much like penicillin is and thus very safe to use. It is a temporary muscle relaxant that is injected locally into specific muscles of the head and neck. Botox injections have numerous potential purposes in a dental practice. One being treatment of TMJ type pain/migraine headaches. Another purpose is controlling the tone of muscles of mastication(jaw movement) in order to increase the success rate of other dental treatments such as implant restoration and restorative treatments in general. The last purpose is what the majority of the population associate Botox with, that is cosmetics. Botox is the perfect compliment to cosmetic dentistry and overall improvement of facial aesthetics.

Halitosis

Bad breath, medically termed as Halitosis is a condition that produces unpleasant feeling due to a foul smell coming from the mouth. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene which will lead to tooth decay and/or gum disease. Biologically speaking, the bad odor is a result of Volatile sulfur compounds released, which have a typical rotten-egg smell.

To fight bad breath one should maintain proper oral hygiene - Use fluoride toothpaste, and brush and floss your teeth twice daily. After every meal you have to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water. Teeth should be cleaned professionally - Visit your dentist regularly, at least once every 6 months so that any decay and/or gum disease can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Modify your diet - Sometimes changes in the diet timings and the food you eat, can improve things. Maintain a mixed diet of all foods, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats along with fruits and vegetables. Chewing certain herbs like coriander, spearmint, eucalyptus, and cardamom can also help. Try to quit habits like smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. Foods like berries, melons and any citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, and help in locking the growth of bacteria, thus gum disease and periodontal pocket formation are controlled. Use a tongue cleaner, to always keep the surface of the tongue clean.

Halitosis can sometimes be a sign for a medical condition. Most commonly, respiratory tract infection like infected throat, lung infections, sinus tract infections, and other systemic illnesses like diabetes, chronic bronchitis, liver or kidney disorders. If your dentist indicates your oral hygiene as good and no dental pathologies present, then you should visit a physician to determine the cause.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a decreased flow of saliva that may be associated with dehydration, radiation therapy of the salivary gland regions, anxiety, the use of drugs (such as atropine and antihistamines), vitamin deficiency, various forms of parotitis, or various syndromes (such as Plummer-Vinson syndrome). Dry mouth is a significant health problem because it can affect nutrition and psychological well-being, while also contributing to tooth decay and other mouth infections.
To minimize such risks one should brush teeth and use dental floss at least twice a day. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Ask your dentist about using a topical fluoride. Avoid sticky, sugary foods or brush immediately after eating them. See your dentist at least three times a year for cleanings and early treatment of cavities. Ask your dentist if you should use a remineralizing solution or prescription-strength fluoride. Take frequent sips of water or drinks without sugar. Pause often while speaking to sip some liquid. Avoid coffee, tea and soft drinks. Drink frequently while eating. This will make chewing and swallowing easier and may increase the taste of foods. Keep a glass of water by your bed for dryness during the night or upon awakening. Chew sugarless gum - the chewing may produce more saliva. Eat sugarless mints or hard sugarless candy but let them dissolve in your mouth. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Avoid spicy, salty and highly acidic foods that may irritate the mouth. Ask your dentist about using artificial salivas to help lubricate the mouth. Use a humidifier, particularly at night.