Month: July 2019

According to a research published by United European Gastroenterology Journal, there has been a close association found between oral health conditions and risk of gastrointestinal liver cancer. So, if you do not take care of your oral hygiene, you may put yourself at risk of liver cancer.

It suggests that poor oral health contributes to 75% increase in your risk of liver cancer. The study also investigated association between oral health and other forms of gastrointestinal cancers, including liver, colon, rectum and pancreatic cancer.

To estimate the relationship between cancer risk and other self-reported oral health conditions, models were applied. Author Haydee WT Jordao from Queen’s University Belfast states, “poor oral health has been linked with the risk of several chronic diseases, like heart disease, stroke and diabetes.”

Patients with poor oral health were more likely to be younger female and consumed less portions of fruits and vegetables in a day. The reason why poor oral health is related with liver cancer is yet to be discovered, however, studies have somehow depicted the role of oral and gut microbe in disease development.

When the liver gets affected by hepatitis, cirrhosis or cancer, its function gets declined, leading to the increased survival rates of bacteria in the body.

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As prescribed by the ADA, it is important to brush your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day. Along with brushing, flossing also equally contributes to your oral health and well-being. Therefore, it is recommended to brush and floss collectively on a daily basis. However, if you had to pick one, flossing is more important if done correctly.

Flossing allows you to remove plaque from areas that are hard to reach and where the most destructive microbes live. If plaque is not removed from these areas, it can lead to gum disease like gingivitis. To reap the advantages of flossing, it is first important to understand the correct way to floss.

Proper flossing involves wrapping the floss in a ‘c-shape,’ and covering as much surface area of the tooth as possible. It is recommended to move the floss up and down along the surface and under the gum tissue. This way flossing cleans plaque from both the outer and inner surfaces of your teeth and also beneath the gum tissue.

Flossing and Oral Health
There are a large number of bacteria naturally occurring in our mouth. These bacteria create toxic products which is linked to tooth decay and gum disease. Flossing and brushing altogether prevents the development of tartar by removing plaque while it is still soft.

Bacteria in the mouth tend to break them down into sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath. Flossing allows you to go under the gum tissue to reach the areas where bacteria colonizes. So, when it comes to eliminating bad breath, flossing acts as a viable solution.

Patients having poorly controlled sugar level are susceptible to oral infections. This happens because glucose present in our saliva induces the growth of harmful bacteria in our mouth. People having Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop gingivitis. Therefore, it is required to floss regularly and neutralize the effect of diabetes.

Flossing Protects Your Gums Too
Flossing plays a vital role in maintaining great oral hygiene. The place where the gums and teeth meet are where flossing plays its major role. Plaque in these areas get harder and accrete over time to form tartar. However, floss gets into the space between teeth and gums to remove much of the food and plaque that a toothbrush can’t move.

When you first start flossing, your gums might bleed a little. Do not panic. This is normal when you just start flossing. After a few weeks, bleeding will stop. Additionally, getting regular checkups with professional dental cleaning and fluoride treatment will help you take care of your smile.

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Oral care is critical for any age. As we get older, dental hygiene becomes even more critical.  According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 17% of seniors aged above 65 suffer with periodontal disease.

To prevent losing your natural teeth and prevent gum disease and decay, here are few dental tips for older people:

Start by Practicing Proper Dental Care
This is quite obvious yet neglected. Brushing and flossing is of utmost importance, when it comes to taking care of your teeth. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is what American Dental Association also recommends. Brushing for 2-3 minutes on both the upper and lower teeth is extremely effective.

Brushing for too long is not an issue. The issue is about applying too much pressure that leads to abrasion of the enamel and the gum tissue, thereby leading to tooth sensitivity. Dentists often recommend using non-dominant hand to brush.

Analyze Your Toothbrush
Toothbrush must be replaced within a certain period of time. If you have been using the same brand and style of toothbrush since long, it’s time to replace it. With so many toothbrush types available in the market, it becomes important to choose the right one for your teeth. Ask your dental professional what type of toothbrush you should be using during years of senior living.

The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles are frayed. If the bacteria on teeth resides after eating, it could lead to serious problems like Gingivitis.

Flossing
ADA also recommends flossing your teeth on a daily basis. It is the most effective tooth for cleaning tight spaces between your teeth. Other alternatives to the same are Waterpiik or oral pulsating irrigator but it is not as effective as floss. Dental floss holder and disposable floss picks are yet another brilliant choices to opt.

Get Rid of Tobacco
Compared to non smokers, smokers have twice the risk of gum disease. Smoking not only weakens your immune system but also makes it harder to fight off a gum infection. The longer and frequent one smokes, the greater the risk of periodontal disease. At a severe stage, treatments may not work as well for people who smoke, therefore it is suggested to quit smoking and look for a professional expert who can help you towards an improved oral health.

Watch Out for Dry Mouth
As one gets older, they may experience changes to their body. One of them is a dry mouth. Talk to your dentist about the medications you are taking. There are times when taking excessive medications lead to dry mouth.

Other than this, you can chew sugar free gum and drink more water to get rid of dry mouth.

Visit Your Dentist
Last but not the least, visiting your dentist is one ideal solution that turns out to be effective in the long run. Visiting your dentist every 6 months helps, therefore, we recommend getting one.

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Also known as dental avulsion, teeth fall out is one of the most serious dental emergencies that occurs due to multiple reasons. If your tooth falls out, there is a possibility that it can be reimplanted back in your gum. However, you need to see your dentist as soon as possible to eliminate the hassle related to teeth fall out. Delay in seeing the dentist could multiply the chances, so it is advisable to follow these simple tips that can help to preserve your tooth.

To increase your chances of a successful re implantation, you need to:

• Find your tooth and pick it up by the crown.
• Put it back in your mouth directly inside the socket. It might slip right easily, however, you need to ensure that it is facing the exact direction.
• Hold it in place with a cloth.
• To rinse off your teeth, use either saliva or milk. Water does not help to preserve the tooth well.
• Do not clean your teeth with a soap or scrub.
• If you are not able to put your tooth in your mouth, store it in milk until you get to the dentist’s office.

Your dentist will further analyze your gum, clean the area with water and attempt to re-implant your tooth. The only risk is that patients may get an infection in their socket or gum.

Reasons Why Teeth Fall Out
Teeth fall out occur due to multiple reasons. Some can be avoided and some cannot.

Gum Disease
Also known as periodontitis, gum disease involves infection of the gums which is usually caused by poor dental hygiene habits. Gum disease develops when brushing and flossing fails to remove the plaque. Plaque has bacteria that sticks to the teeth and hardens over time. This gets severe and can only be removed with the help of a dental professional.

This hardened plaque, is a tartar deposit that causes gums to pull away teeth, creating gaps that later become infected. Over the time, this process breaks down the bone and tissue supporting the teeth. This causes teeth to become loose.

Other signs of gum disease results in the form of:

• Tender, red and painful gums
• Bleeding gums
• Gum recession
• Changes in the way teeth adjust together

The only solution to this is early detection and treatment.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis causes the bones to become weaken and porous. It affects the spine, hips and wrists and also damages the bones in jaw that support teeth. If jaw becomes less dense, teeth may loosen and fall out.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is a possible link between bone loss and increased risk of gum disease. There are certain medications that are used to treat osteoporosis. These medications include a drug named bisphosphonates that treats bone loss, but eventually leads to loose teeth. In severe cases, treatment like tooth extraction can work.

Pregnancy
The increased level of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy affects the bone and tissues in the mouth. Pregnant ladies are advised to have dental checkups, cleanings and X-rays. Owing to a possible link between gum disease and premature birth, pregnant ladies are encouraged to see dentists regularly.

Treatment Options for a Loose Tooth

• Mouth rinses and other medications that helps to combat the bacteria in the mouth.
• Oral surgery that removes inflamed gum tissue and bone damaged by gum disease.
• Bone grafts help to rebuild bone loss to gum disease.
• Gum grafts also prevent further gum loss in people with gum disease.
• Dental bridge and dental implant are ideal and reliable treatment choices for a loose tooth.

Tooth loss can be disturbing, however, sometimes it can be saved if the problem is detected early. So, go ahead and take a step towards tooth restoration by consulting your dentist today.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.