Dr. David Zelby

A New Year! A New You!

2012-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012 to you! With the first week of the year coming to a close it’s time to talk about those resolutions! Some are kept faithfully and others seem to fall by the wayside after a few weeks. It’s OK. It happens to everyone. If getting healthier was at the top of your list, be assured that you are not alone! When it comes to health, diet and exercise are the key factors to getting and staying in shape (along with a positive attitude!). Looking and feeling good take work and dedication. If you are looking for a healthier and happier you in 2012, keep in mind that your dental health is just as important as the rest of you! Here are a few tips to get you started with “Dental Resolutions” you can incorporate into your 2012 healthy living goals:

1. Healthy teeth depend on good dietary habits!

In order to maintain good oral health, you need to eat properly! What you eat and how often you eat are important factors. Foods such as milk, cheese, chicken, and nuts are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing calcium and phosphorous needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited into tooth enamel after being removed by acids).

Other choices include firm, crunchy fruits such as apples and pears, as well as vegetables. These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain and helps to stimulate the flow of saliva, this helps get rid of anything that may stick to your teeth!

2. Stay away from sodas and sweetened snacks throughout the day.

Poor food choices, such as sodas, candies, french fries, dried fruits, cakes, cookies, are harmful to your teeth and your waistline! These foods are full of sugars and acids that strip the tooth enamel and feed bacterial infections. If you are one of those people who enjoy sipping beverages throughout the day, switch to water or unsweetened teas. Sodas will stick to your teeth and slowly wear away the enamel on the outer layer - and once it’s gone you cannot get it back! This goes for snacking too. Limit the type of snacks throughout the day and you will maintain a healthy smile and weight.

BONUS TIP: Hydrating with water will make your skin supple, youthful, and bright! If you’re not a water drinker, add a cucumber for a refreshing flavored drink!

3. Cutting back on your vices.

One of the most listed New Years Resolutions is to quit smoking/ drinking/ etc. These vices, left unchecked, can create serious consequences to our health and the health of those around us. Smokers increase their risk for lung cancer as well as oral diseases, such as cancer of the gums and throat. Spit tobacco contains lots of sugars and causes rapid decay of the tooth and gum structure.

Studies have also shown that persons who abuse alcohol are at a high risk of having seriously decayed and infected gums and teeth. Additionally, drinking has joined smoking as an increased cancer risk. (Dentistry Today, p. 23, June 2003)

4. Good oral health improves not only your teeth, but your whole life!

Studies have shown that your overall health is directly connected to your oral health! Examples of this include:

Endocarditis. Gum disease and dental procedures that cut your gums may allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. If you have a weak immune system or a damaged heart valve, this can cause infection in other parts of the body — such as an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocarditis).
Cardiovascular disease. Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke may be linked to oral bacteria, possibly due to chronic inflammation from periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease.
Pregnancy and birth. Gum disease has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.
Diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. In addition, people who have inadequate blood sugar control may develop more-frequent and severe infections of the gums and the bone that holds teeth in place, and they may lose more teeth than do people who have good blood sugar control.
HIV/AIDS. Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — may be associated with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss.
Alzheimer's disease. Tooth loss before age 35 may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
Other conditions. Other conditions that may be linked to oral health include Sjogren's syndrome — an immune system disorder — and eating disorders.

IMPORTANT!: Be sure to let your dentist know if you have had any changes in medication or a change in your overall health - especially if you have had any recent illnesses or have a chronic condition.

5. Stay on top of your health with regular check-ups!

Whether it’s your physician, optometrist, cardiologist, physical therapist, shrink, or dentist - it is important to be checked regularly by a professional so you stay free and clear of any problems that may not be detected or treated without their professional knowledge or equipment. Don’t put off going to the doctor if you suspect an issue. Those “instinctual” or “gut” feelings can be right sometimes.

REMEMBER: Finding the right health care provider for you is important! Check with your insurance provider, ask your friends for referrals, or search doctor review sites. If you do not feel comfortable with your doctor it can make your yearly office visits much less productive. Being able to ask honest questions is very important in the doctor/patient relationship!

Here’s to you in the New Year! May you achieve things great and small - and take a little time for yourself in the process. Keep an eye out for more posts in the coming weeks (my resolution is no less than two posts a month!). Upcoming topics include budgeting for your dental health, Sedation Dentistry, and much more. Keep smiling and visit our website for information on the types of services we provide for our patients!

SOURCES:

WebMD - http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/diet-oral-health

CDC - http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/adult.htm

The Mayo Clinic - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dental/DE00001/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Halloween is almost here! If you're giving away candy, sugar-free lollipops may be the way to go!

2011-10-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

A recent study, published by the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, demonstrated that sugar-free lollipops containing licorice root extract significantly reduced the bacteria that causes tooth decay, specifically in pre-school children with high-risk of tooth decay.

The study, funded by the Research and Data Institute of the affiliated companies of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico and North Carolina, analyzed 66 preschool students ages 2 to 5 enrolled in the Greater Lansing Area Head Start Program. Each student received a lollipop for 10 minutes twice daily for three weeks.

"Dental decay is one of the most common childhood diseases with more than half of children ages 5 to 17 having had at least one cavity or filling," said Jed J. Jacobson, D.D.S., M.S., M.P.H., chief science officer at Delta Dental. "We are working to find simple, effective regimens that will encourage prevention and control of dental disease. While the results of this pilot clinical trial are encouraging, more research is needed to confirm these early findings."

Results showed a significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), the primary bacteria responsible for tooth decay, during the three-week period when the lollipops were being used and lasting for an additional 22 days before beginning to rebound.

Using a saliva test, the amount of S. mutans in the patient's mouth was measured before and during the three-week period where lollipops were used, as well as for several weeks thereafter.

"The use of the licorice root lollipops is an ideal approach as it will stop the transfer and implantation of the bacteria that cause dental decay from mothers to their infants and toddlers," said Martin Curzon, editor-in-chief, European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. "It also has the merit of being a low cost-high impact public dental health measure."

"This study is important not only for dental caries prevention research, but also demonstrates the feasibility of a classroom protocol using a unique delivery system suitable for young children," said Jacqueline Tallman, R.D.H., B.S., M.P.A., principal investigator of the study. "Early prevention is key for lifetime oral health and effective innovative protocols are needed."

The investigation was a collaborative effort of the Greater Lansing Area Head Start Program, the University of Michigan and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Delta Dental's Research and Data Institute provided the grants as part of its mission to remain on the cutting edge of finding solutions to oral health problems.

"Our Head Start program was excited to participate in the Lollipop project," said Teresa Spitzer, R.N., Health Programs Manager, Capital Community Head Start Inc. Head Start and Early Childhood Programs. "Staff and parents were intrigued by something as simple as a special Lollipop having the ability to decrease the incidence of dental caries in children. The outcomes only reinforced the value the parents placed on the project."

The lollipops, manufactured by Dr. John's Candies of Grand Rapids, Mich., were developed using FDA-approved materials by Dr. Wenyuan Shi, a microbiologist at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and C3 Jian, Inc., a research and development company in California. The orange-flavored, sugarless lollipops contain extract of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), which targets and is thought to kill the primary bacteria (Streptococcus mutans or S. mutans) responsible for tooth decay.

About Streptococcus mutans

There are approximately 700 types of bacteria in the human mouth. While most are harmless, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is considered the primary culprit in tooth decay. They live in a biofilm (plaque) that adheres to the teeth, consume sugar and release acid that erodes tooth enamel, causing decay. Regular brushing and flossing, along with dental checkups, can help to keep S. mutans and Lactobacillus casei in check.

Source: Delta Dental of Michigan

For more information about Aesthetic and Atlanta Cosmetic Dentistry go to
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Help keep your smile a beautiful pearly white!

2011-09-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

We all want to have a nice smile, which includes beautiful white teeth. When we have yellow teeth, sometimes we don't feel like smiling as much. Or we'll sport that closed mouth smile more often.

Some people have naturally white teeth, and others' are naturally more of a yellow hue. And as we age, we may find our teeth changing a bit too.

Causes of yellowing teeth can be attributed to:
-Foods/Drinks: berries, curry, soy sauce, colas, wine, coffee and even dark beer can stain teeth.
-Chewing or smoking tobacco can make teeth yellow.
-Medication: Some antibiotics are known to stain teeth especially in young children.
-Antihistamines, medications for high blood pressure and some anti-psychotic drugs can change tooth color.
-Iron containing supplements
-Over use of prescription mouthwash (containing compounds such as chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride).
-Excess fluoride ingestion, either from unusually high content in drinking water (rare) or from using excessive amounts of fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.

A few ways to prevent the yellowing of teeth are:
-Avoid or reduce your intake of foods or drinks that tend to stain your teeth.
-Brush your teeth after meals or after drinking coffee or other staining culprits.
-Don't smoke or chew tobacco products.
-Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice per year.
-Ask your dentist about safe whitening products or techniques.

Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta offers several methods that will allow you to brighten and whiten your smile! Visit our website for more information or call 770-955-0550 and speak with one of our knowledgable staff.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER FOR A ZOOM II ADVANCE WHITENING TREATMENT AND PAY ONLY $450! REGULARLY PRICED AT $600, THE SERVICE ALSO INCLUDES A SET OF CUSTOM TAKE-HOME TOUCH-UP TRAYS AND BLEACH!

CALL US NOW! APPOINTMENT TIMES ARE LIMITED!

770-955-0550

Get more information from a professional Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist

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Embarrassed about you breath?

2011-09-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

You don't want to be a "close talker" if you're worried about this.
Did you know that bad breath is the third most frequent reason that people visit their dentist? (The first two reasons are cavities and gum disease.)

You may not know you have bad breath until someone comments on your breath or offers you mints or gum. A bad taste in your mouth is a good sign that your breath may not be pleasant.

Causes:
-Bacteria on the tongue that produce smelly compounds and fatty acids that stink.
-Bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for breaking down proteins into individual amino acids, and then the further breakdown of some amino acids into smelly gasses such as hydrogen sulfide.
-Gum disease
-Nose odor ... yup, even the breath that you exhale through your nose can have a smell, especially if you have a cold or sinus infection.
-Certain foods that you've eaten may be the culprit. Garlic and onions can lead to bad breath.
-Ketosis: During prolonged fasting or severe dieting, and even following a low carbohydrate diet, our bodies use an alternate method of getting calories from stored fatty acids in the liver. This produces ketones as a byproduct and we exhale these ketoacids, which have an unpleasant sweet smell. (We also expel them in the urine.)
-Lung infections
-Poor oral hygiene
-Smoking

Prevention and treatment:
Use a toothpaste or mouthwash that contains zinc compounds or stabilized chlorine dioxide. These compounds can actually help break down the sulfur chemicals in your mouth that cause bad breath.

Remember to brush your teeth and tongue regularly (at least twice a day, but ideally after each meal).

Visit your dentist on a regular basis. A dentist will be able to tell you if there are any problems with your oral health that may be contributing to bad breath.
Avoid eating onions and/or garlic if the result of bad breath bothers you.

There have been some contradictory and preliminary studies suggesting that some nutritional supplements may be helpful: If you have gum disease, Coenzyme Q10 or folic acid supplements may help. Also a mouthwash or toothpaste containing zinc chloride may improve things.

If you need to consult with a dental professional about bad breath treatment or need tooth replacement due to Atlanta Dental Implants please visit http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

Noisy Jaw? Read This!

2011-09-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ (jaw joint), muscles of mastication, and facial muscles, we can chew, swallow, smile and speak. Temporo-mandibular disorder or TMD occurs when the function of TMJ and surrounding muscles is impaired.

Symptoms of TMD

Tenderness and pain in the jaw muscles. The pain is more severe after waking up in the morning or after chewing foods or gums.

Difficulty in opening and closing the jaws, sometimes locking of the jaws might occur.

Unexplained headaches and having painful sensation in the neck area.

Clicking sound when chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth widely.

In severe cases of TMD, the mandible can be dislocated from its position.

Causes of TMD

Obviously, the causes of TMD are not always known, but in most cases stress is the prime suspect. The following are the most common causes:

Bruxism or Grinding teeth, especially while sleeping at night. Some people, when stressed, severely clinch their teeth until the muscles of the jaw are exhausted causing great pain.

Fractured or dislocated mandible (lower jaw)

Some joint disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Mal-occlusion, which occurs when your teeth are not properly aligned in your jaws causing extra forces on TMJ.

Missing, worn or loose teeth

Gingival diseases

Ill-fitting complete or partial dentures

Bad habits, like biting on hard objects

How Can You Treat TMD?

1. Avoid stress and learn how to relax.

2. Be careful for the type of foods you eat:

Avoid chewing hard objects

Avoid chewing gums for prolonged hours

Avoid opening your mouth widely when you yawn

Eat soft diet or cut your food into small bites

3. Massage your jaw muscles; rub and stretch them. This will definitely ease pain.

4. Put a cold or warm compress on the area of painful jaw muscles.

5. When you are relaxed, your upper and lower teeth should be slightly separated, your tongue relaxed against your palate (roof of the mouth), and finally, your lips must be relaxed and slightly touching each other.

6. If you are suffering bruxism, your dentist will advise you to put night mouth guard; this is a bite pad worn at night while sleeping to absorb the forces exerted by your teeth when clenching.

7. Beware that clenching of teeth increases after coffee (caffeine) and alcohol consumption. Try to avoid such drinks.

Visit drdavidzelby.com to learn more about TMD and other oral-related issues

Insurance Companies are Finally Beginning to See the Importance of Oral Health!

2011-07-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA, June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire --

Georgians now have even more reasons to smile! Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofGeorgia (BCBSGa) today announced the availability of new dental plans in Georgia for small groups with effective dates of July 1, 2011 and later. These new plans from BCBSGa – Dental Prime and Dental Complete – are designed to support both oral health and overall health.

Why is this important? Research suggests a connection between poor oral health and certain health issues like gum disease, heart disease and stroke(1). Evidence also suggests poor oral health can complicate or is linked to diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia, stroke and pre-term/low birth weight babies(2). However, those who have dental benefits exhibit healthier behaviors, such as getting yearly physicals, dental check-ups, brushing twice daily, regular exercise and eating a low-fat diet(3). In addition, 62 percent of employers view dental benefits as an essential component of their benefits package(4).

"We know dental insurance is one of the most valued benefits employers can provide to their employees and we are proud to offer these new plans to Georgians," said Morgan Kendrick, state plan president, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. "These new plans offer Georgia small group employers and their employees, industry-leading benefits that focus on dental health."

The networks supporting Dental Prime and Dental Complete are some of the largest dental networks in Georgia – Prime includes more than 85,000 access points nationwide, and Complete includes more than 96,000 access points nationwide(5).

"Having a choice of contracted networks allows small group employers solutions for controlling costs without reducing dental benefits," said Stuart Watts, regional vice president, Specialty Business. "Employers can select the Dental Prime-contracted network, which is the lower cost network, or they can pick the Dental Complete-contracted network, which allows even greater network access."

In addition, this new dental portfolio includes three core plan designs – Value dental plans, Classic dental plans and Enhanced dental plans. The Value plans include coverage for basic services such as cleanings, exams, X-rays and fillings. The Classic plans include basic dental services and additional coverage for major services, including implants. The Enhanced plans offer the greatest level of coverage with a higher annual maximum benefit and lower member coinsurance amounts. Both Classic and Enhanced plans can be quoted with a new optional feature to stretch benefits dollars even further via a maximum carryover provision. And, all three dental plans include coverage for brush biopsies for early cancer detection.

"We also offer voluntary dental plans for small groups, which are a win-win situation for employers and their employees," said Watts. "Employers can offer benefits to their employees at no cost to their company – employers only need to choose a benefits package, explain the benefits to their employees and administer the payroll deductions. In the end, employees are offered a benefits package that is usually more robust than they would receive on an individual plan, plus they receive the group rate."

For more information about the new Dental Prime and Dental Complete products, click here.

(1) Source: 2009-2010 Specialty Trends Report For the Employer Market
(2) Source: Oral Health America, http://www.oralhealthamerica.org/news/062204.html
(3) Source: NADP, The Haves and the Have-Nots: Consumers With and Without Dental Benefits, 2009
(4) Source: NADP, Purchaser Behavior Study, 2008
(5) Source: Definition: An access point is a location where a dentist practices. For example, if one dentist works at two different offices, that dentist has two access points.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, Inc. and Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association® . The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield ofGeorgia is available at www.bcbsga.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/HealthJoinInBCBSGa, visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin or check out the Our Health Connects Us campaign site at http://connects.bcbsga.com/.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgiahttp://www.bcbsga.com

To get a consultation on your dental insurance coverage contact Atlanta Dentist
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Science Daily Reports that Two Annual Dental Checkups Aren't Enough for Post-menopausal Women

2011-05-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

ScienceDaily (Mar. 21, 2011) — Post-menopausal women have a new health message to hear. Two annual dental checkups aren't enough. Older women need more, according to research findings from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic.

That message comes from a comparison study of women on and off bone-strengthening bisphosphonate therapies for osteoporosis. Leena Palomo, assistant professor of periodontics from the dental school, and Maria Clarinda Beunocamino-Francisco from the Center for Specialized Women's Health at the clinic, set out to study the long-term effects of bisphosphonate therapies on the jawbone, but came up with this new findings that impacts all women after undergoing menopause.

Twenty-eight postmenopausal women with normal bones were compared with 28 women on bisphosphonate therapies for at least two years or more. The participants (all between the ages of 51 and 80) received conebeam CT scans of their jaws and a complete periodontal check for dental plaque, bleeding, and loss of bone attachment and of the alveolar bone socket. Both groups of women had followed the recommended American Dental Association oral health standards to brush twice daily, floss and have at least two dental checkups a year.

The findings for bone strength and other markers for osteoporosis were similar for both groups. But the researchers found both groups had increased dental plaque levels, which could endanger the jawbone of normal postmenopausal women and reverse any benefits gained in bone mass. Dental plaque is the fuzzy bacterial material that covers the teeth when you wake up in the morning. The biofilm is a mixture of bacteria, bacterial waste and food particles stuck to the teeth and provide nourishment for more bacteria.
While women from both groups had similar bone health results and women on the long-term oral bone-strengthening therapies showed no signs of bone death, they had abnormal dental plaque.
Their findings were announced in the article, "Is long-term bisphosphonate therapy associated with benefits to the periodontium in postmenopausal women?" that was published in the February issue of Menopause.
Menopausal women at risk for osteoporosis also are at risk for periodontal disease, which affects bone that anchors teeth, says Palomo. A prior study by Palomo showed that short-term use of bisphosphonates had increased bone density in the jaw.
But over time, if the hard plaque is left on teeth, it triggers the processes for gum disease. Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is an inflammatory reaction that produces the cytokines protein reaction. Cytokines act like water runoffs on the side of the hill and erodes the socket that anchors the tooth in place. If that bone loss isn't stopped, Palomo said, a woman could potentially lose her teeth. She added that those cytokines also set in motion the process that weakens bones in osteoporosis. Palomo said women may need to see the dentist as many as four times a year to control dental plaque by deep periodontal cleanings.
"Women also have to realize that bone disease and gum disease are two separate diseases," Palomo said. The bisphosphonate therapy isn't enough to keep jawbones strong and healthy, she added, that means getting rid of the dental plaque.

Co-investigators with Palomo and Buencamino-Francisco were Holly Thacker, Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio); John J. Carey, Merlin Park Hospital (Galway, Ireland); and Mala Sivanandy, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital (Boston, Mass.). The Cleveland Clinic Foundation supported the study.

Read original article at http://www.sciencedaily.com/

Find out more Information on how to Get Rid of Dental Plaque from Atlanta Cosmetic Dentistry and Aesthetic Dentistry Specialists at http://www.drdavidzelby.com/

Facts About Dental Insruance

2011-04-13T08:02:00.000-07:00

Have you ever left a dental office confused about your insurance? This is a frustrating feeling to have.

At AIDA, we strongly believe our patients deserve the best dental care services we can provide. In an effort to better educate our patients and readers, we would like to share some facts about dental insurance with you.

FACT #1

Your dental insurance is based upon a contract between your employer (or yourself, if you are insured independently) and your insurance company. Should questions arise regarding your dental insurance benefits, it is best for you to contact your employer or the insurance company directly.
Many dental offices, such as ours, offer to file your insruance electroically. This can save you time and hassle in the long run. Also, depending on the type of plan selected by your employer, insurance companies may require you to pay in full at the time of service. Insruance will then send a reimbursement check to the your home for the amount covered by your plan.

FACT #2

Dental insurance benefits differ greatly from traditional medical health insurance benefits and can vary quite a bit from plan to plan. When dental insurance plans first appeared in the early 1970’s most plans had a yearly maximum of $1,000. Today, some 30+ years later, most plans still have a maximum benefit of $1,000. That the premiums remained the same, allowing for a conservative yearly rate of inflation, your yearly plan maximums should be in excess of $4,500 today. Your premiums have increased, but your benefits have not. Therefore, dental insurance was never set-up to cover your services 100%; it is only an aid.

FACT #3

You may receive notification from your insurance company stating that dental fees are “higher than usual and customary.” Insurance companies never reveal how they determine “usual, customary and reasonable” (UCR) fees. A recent survey done in the state of Washington found at least eight different UCR fee schedules for one zip code in the Seattle area. The fees are somehow determined by taking “a percentage” of an average fee for a particular procedure in a geographic area. Average has been defined as “the worst of the best” or “the best of the worst.”

FACT #4

Many plans tell their participants that they will be covered “up to 80% or up to 100%,” but do not clearly specify plan fee schedule allowances, annual maximums, or limitations. It is more realistic to expect dental insurance to cover 30% to 50% of major services. Remember, the amount a plan pays is determined by how much the employer paid for the plan. You get back only what your employer puts in, less the profits of the insurance company.

FACT #5

Many routine dental services are not covered by insurance companies. This does not mean they aren’t necessary or appropriate, just not covered.

Learn About Dental Implants

2011-02-14T09:35:00.000-08:00

Astra Tech, maker of dental implant systems, has developed a website for patients interested in dental implant treatment. Visit to learn about dental implants, implant proceedures, daily care of implants, and testimonials of patients who have benefitted from dental implants.

likenaturalteeth.com

For more information on Dental Implants Atlanta
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7 Foods that Help Protect your Teeth and Gums!

2011-02-04T08:52:00.000-08:00

The type of food you eat can really influence your healthy smile exactly like flossing and brushing, imagine! Actually, each time you consume processed sugars or starches, you are helping the bacteria in your mouth to form more and more acids which cause all types of tooth caries , gingival and periodontal problems. Some foods can naturally fight caries, prevent plaque accumulation, make your enamel stronger, and give you a fresh breath.

1. Celery

Chewing raw celery can protect your teeth in many ways; it will stimulate more salivary flow thus washing harmful bacteria, besides, celery is a natural abrasive food which can cause massaging of your gingiva and removing of the accumulated foods between your teeth.

2. Green Tea

Green tea contains very potent antioxidants called catechins; these substances are proved to kill oral bacteria which can convert sugar to plaque. Catechins can also eliminate the bacteria which causes halitosis. Try to drink two to five cups of green tea (decaffeinated) regularly.

3. Kiwis

Kiwis are very rich in vitamin C; actually, a big kiwi can provide you with more than your daily recommended dose of vitamin C by 100%.
Well, vitamin C is very important for the integrity of the collagen fibers in your gingiva, if this collagen network is impaired, the bacteria can easily attack and invade your gingiva, causing you inflamed and bleeding gums.

4. Parsley

If you chew parsley or mint after a pungent meal, you will maintain a fresh breath for a long time. As such herbs are rich in volatile substances called monoterpenes which travel quickly through your blood to reach your lungs, and their nice smell will be released in your breath.

5. Shiitake Mushrooms

A recent study has suggested that shiitake mushroom contains a special type of sugar known as lentinan; this sugar can prevent oral bacteria from forming dental plaque.

6. Wasabi!

Substance which causes Wasabi or Japanese horse-radish to be very hot is called isothiocyanates. In 2000, scientists have proved that isothiocyanates inhibits the growth of bacteria causing tooth decay. Believe it; eating wasabi few times weekly can protect your teeth from dental caries.

7. Water

It is recommended to drink eight glasses of pure water daily, actually, this is the best way to keep your gingiva hydrated and maintain a good salivary flow. Saliva is your best natural defense mechanism against harmful bacteria that causes dental caries and oral plaque. Furthermore, if it is difficult to brush your teeth after each meal, make sure you rinse your mouth with pure water, as water can wash excess food debris from your mouth and deprive harmful oral bacteria from their major source of nutrition.

Why People Ignore Dental Health

2010-11-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dental Health Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri

Dental Health is an integral aspect of a healthy body, an aspect we tend to not keenly follow. Most of us are guilty of not taking our oral health with the seriousness it demands. This indifferent attitude of the common person is a major cause for dental problems that could have been intercepted at an initial stage. As many people later find out that oral health is cost effective to maintain but costly to ignore. Most of the people thinking brushing twice a day is the ultimate commandment of oral health and do not take any further action or initiative. Talk about dental health and it elicits an image of a mother forcing her kid to brush, to many of us.

Greater than 75% of the American population suffers from some degree of gum disease. This despite the country known well for the concern they show towards oral health. Here are 4 common reasons which are responsible for people tending to ignore their dental health.

1. No Pain

Pain is a leading cause for people to seek a doctor of any sort. Dental problems often do not elicit much pain (initially) leading to people to not scrutinize their oral health. Diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease are well known to progress with out any significant pain until the disease process has established itself. Pain in tooth decay often occurs after the carious process reaches the pulp which means there is nothing you can do except a root canal treatment.

2. Visibility

People take great care of their skin, face as they are aspects of the body which are obvious to people around us. Nothing wrong with that, it’s the human tendency to do so. But, this leaves the dental health out of a person’s priority list. Although, due importance is given for a person’s smile, no concern is shown towards the rest of the dental arch due to lack of visibility. It’s unlikely that a person is going to open his mouth, look in the mirror and go scouring for dental cavities and the like.

3. Fear

The dentist has been traditionally feared due to various reasons. A greater percentage of people have no subjective fear. They fear the dentist because others do so. This non-subjective fear is a harmful one and difficult for a person to overcome. Subjective fears are due to prior dental visits which did not go as the patient desired. Fear is a very compelling emotion and a common reason for many to avoid the dentist. This is often known as dental anxiety or dental phobia. This is evident by the e-presence of many dental anxiety forums, websites and groups on social networking websites.

4. Cost

It is hard to ignore the fact that dental procedures are quite costly to undergo. The fact that most health insurance agencies do not cover dental work is also a hindrance for many. It is has been recently said by President Obama that he would like dental health to be covered. This would be a boon to many people who are procrastinating on their dental health due to the cost involved. People often do not realize that it would cost them more if they do not address the dental problem as soon as possible. Like I said earlier oral health is cost effective to maintain but costly to ignore.

There are plenty of other reasons which are specific to individuals for ignoring their oral health. Few people realize the affect their dental health can have on general health. An initiative needs to be taken by the Government to bring about awareness to the public on dental health aspects. Till then, it is just up to the dentists.

Dental Emergencies

2010-10-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

There is never a good time to suffer from a chipped, broken, or otherwise damaged tooth.

Sometimes, excruciating tooth pain can arise due to trauma or seemingly out of nowhere. Toothaches, broken teeth, missing fillings, and irritated gums are just a few of the reasons you should seek immediate help from a dentist. Any injury to teeth or gums should not be ignored!

Here are a few tips should you have a dental emergency of your own:

1. My lip,tounge, gums are injured or bleeding!
When you bite your tongue or lip, or cut your gums; clean the bitten area with a piece of cotton or cloth. If swelling occurs, compress a cold pack over the injured area. Infection is always a concern so make sure see your dentist as soon as possible.

2. I have a cracked or broken tooth!
If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth thoroughly with some warm water, and avoid swallowing the broken parts. To minimize edema, compress cold pack on the affected area. Don’t hesitate to call your dentist at once.

If your tooth is cracked; your treatment depends on location and size of the crack. Most types of tooth cracks are tiny and won’t cause you trouble. Treatment of the cracked teeth usually varies from using a filling dental material to seal the crack to treating the cracked tooth endodontically. Unfortunately, extraction is needed for severely cracked teeth. Minor teeth cracks are usually diagnosed during routine dental examination.

3. I think my jaw may be fractured or broken!
If you suspect that your jaw is fractured, apply cold pack against the area of swelling to control edema, and go immediately to nearest hospital emergency department. If you start to feel pain take any type of analgesics except aspirin (as it increases the bleeding tendency).

Symptoms of a broken jaw are:

Pain and swelling
Malocclusion (teeth don’t fit or occlude together)
Numbness in lower lip and chin
Intra-oral bleeding
Bruises around the injured area

4. What happens if my tooth is knocked out?!

Please, don't panic.

Simply hold the tooth from the crown and rinse the root with warm water or saline. Avoid scrubbing the tissue fragments on the root. If possible, insert the tooth back in its socket or put it under your tongue. Be careful to avoid swallowing it. Else wise, you can keep the knocked tooth in a glass of milk and hurry up to your dentist. Of course, don’t forget to take the glass of milk with you!

5. There is something stuck between my teeth and it hurts!
If there is an object stuck between your teeth, try to remove it gently with dental floss. Don’t ever try to remove it with a sharp instrument to avoid cutting your gums. Call your dentist
if you fail to dislodge it.

6. I have a toothache!Suffering from a toothache is very annoying. Most dental diseases are manifested with toothaches. If you are having a toothache, clean your mouth with warm water; also use dental flossing and teeth brushing to ensure there are no food remnants caught between your teeth. Don’t ever try to control toothache by putting an aspirin or any type of analgesic against your gingival or buccal mucosa, to avoid burning your oral tissues.