Lake Oconee Dentistry Blog

YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW MANY OF THE DANGERS associated with smoking. But, did you also know that smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to lose their teeth? In addition, there are even greater dangers that smoking presents to your oral health.

Smoking wreaks havoc on your gums. It lowers your ability to fight infections in your mouth and compounds healing time. It increases the risk for periodontal disease. Smokers are even twice as likely to need root canals and more likely to develop cavities.

Most Of All…

Smoking is the biggest controllable risk factor for oral cancer. An oral cancer study in the UK concluded that 70% of oral cancer cases in men, and 55% of oral cancer cases in women, were caused by smoking.

What Can You Do To Guard Against Oral Cancer?

First and foremost, reduce your risk factors:

• Smoking is the #1 risk factor. Stop.
• Smoking and drinking together is worse than either one alone. Be smart.
• Some strains of HPV are related to oral cancer. Practice safe habits.

Know the signs:

Unfortunately, oral cancer still occurs in people without any typical risk factors. So even if you don’t smoke, you need to know the signs of oral cancer, including:

• A red or white sore in your mouth that does not go away after two weeks
• Unexplainable pain or numbness in your mouth
• Difficulty swallowing

Have regular oral cancer screenings.

By examining the tissues in your mouth we can spot the signs of oral cancer early, making successful treatment much more probable.

The best way to be safe is to quit smoking—end of story, no exceptions.

As your health care professionals, we encourage you to cut your risk for this life-threatening disease by cutting smoking out of your life.

If you’re just not ready to take the first step toward quitting, please take care of your health by keeping your regular appointments with our practice. Studies show that 50% of smokers don’t come to their regular appointments. Your check-ups are more important than ever. Be vigilant.

You can learn more at oralcancerfoundation.orgormouthcancer.org.

If you have any questions about reducing your risk factors, or what to expect during an oral cancer screening, contact us. If you notice something that you’re worried may be an early sign of oral cancer, give us a call.

Thank you for your trust in our practice!

ARE YOU A LITTLE SURPRISED by the headline of this blog post? If so, you’re not alone. Many people are unaware of the link between asthma and tooth decay resulting from dry mouth.

What Does Asthma Have To Do With Cavities?

When drawing one’s breath doesn’t come easily, most people compensate by breathing through their mouths. In turn, breathing through your mouth causes your mouth to dry out. When there’s insufficient saliva to protect and clean your teeth, you’re left more vulnerable to decay-causing bacteria. In addition, some people compound the problem by sipping on sugary drinks all day trying to quench the dryness!

As if that weren’t enough, asthma and allergy medications themselves can cause even more dryness on top of the mouth breathing. Not a good combination.

Some Evidence—But It’s Not Just About Kids

A Swedish studyof children and young adults with similar backgrounds and habits evaluated the links between asthma and caries. Within the group with asthma, 19 out of 20 kids developed tooth decay. In the group of asthma-free kids 7 out of 20 developed tooth decay.

Although the study above centered around kids with asthma, the risks are equally applicable to adults as shown in the video report below:

What You Can Do About It

Asthma may not have a simple fix, but tooth decay does. First and foremost, stick faithfully to the basics. Brush at least twice a day and floss to clean the places in your mouth where brushing misses. Keep your scheduled cleaning and checkup appointments. Avoid foods and drinks that are most harmful to your teeth.

And specific to this issue, here are some tips for increased, healthy saliva flow:

• Consider chewing sugarless gum.
• Consider occasionally sucking on sugarless mints.
• Be sure to drink water regularly.

One More Special Note About Asthma

If you have asthma, or if someone in your care has asthma, please let our team know! The more we know about your health the better. It helps us advise and serve you better. If you have any questions about how asthma can impact your oral health, please ask us! We’re honored to be your resource.

Thanks for being a fantastic part of our practice! We appreciate having you as our patient.

DID YOU REALIZE THAT AN ESTIMATED 90% of systemic diseases can have an oral manifestation? Your mouth is loaded with helpful information about your body’s overall health.

Fortunately, most of your mouth’s “stories” are related to minor issues. However, some can actually be signs of more serious problems.

Your Teeth

If you have worn-down teeth it can mean that you’ve been grinding your teeth—probably in your sleep. Grinding can be a symptom of TMD (temporomandibular disorder) which may also lead to chronic headaches.

If we notice that your tooth enamel is thin, it could be a sign of a condition such as acid reflux or bulimia because both regularly bathe teeth in stomach acid.

Your Gums

Occasionally, we all may have swollen, sensitive gums. But if it persists, even when you’re taking really good care of your mouth, it could be an early sign of something serious like diabetes or leukemia. Sometimes it may simply be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. But, it’s good to consider all the possibilities.

In addition, modern research and many health experts continue to draw lines between gum disease and other whole-body health issues including lung disease, cardiovascular problems, and even early-term labor.

Your Tongue

There are a few odd tongue conditions like hairy black tongue (which is pretty much what it sounds like) and geographic tongue (random-shaped, smooth red patches) that have various causes but are not considered serious—although they can cause discomfort. However, what IS serious are early signs of oral cancer which often show up on the side of your tongue first, in small red or white spots. If you have a sore on your tongue, cheek, or elsewhere in your mouth that doesn’t go away in a reasonable amount of time, have us check it out right away.

Nutritional Imbalances

Nutritional deficiencies are often reflected in your mouth where the soft tissues are renewed quickly. An Academy of General Dentistry study shows that oral tissue sensitivity can be a sign of deficiencies in iron, zinc, and folic acid which can show up as gum disease.

An Interesting Report From CBS News

Questions About Your Oral Or Overall Health?

First of all, don’t skip your doctor appointments! That’s not the point of this post! But remember that your regular dental checkups are more important than ever.

Here at our practice, we’re so grateful for your trust. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your oral health, please ask us. And if you have any persistent symptoms like those listed in this post, let us know.

Thanks for being our valued patient. We love what we do because of you!

THIS IS REALLY interesting. Perhaps, if you struggle with some level of dental anxiety, odds are you’ve picked some of that up from your parents.

Breaking The Dental Anxiety Cycle

According to a new study, by the University of Madrid, children most often look to their fathers when gauging potentially stressful situations. It appears that if a father is nervous about dental visits, his children pick up on his cues (no surprise there)—even unintentional ones—and may follow suit.

The findings include you too, mom.The International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry confirms that the higher the level of dental anxiety in any family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family. Other studies show that women more often demonstrate positive habits and attitudes towards dentistry—so it may be up to you to set the good example!

Your Comfort Is Our Highest Priority

The “old days” of dentistry are long gone. Modern dentistry makes visiting the dentist a comfortable experience. Here at our practice, we take your comfort very seriously. Here are a couple of additional ideas:

1. You’re always welcome to bring a friend or family member. Whatever your age, sometimes it’s nice to have a friendly face with you if you’re anxious.
2. Distract yourself. Do you have some favorite songs on your phone or MP3 player? What about a handheld game you enjoy? Bring it along! Our team will do everything we can to accommodate you.
3. Talk to us! One of the best ways to overcome anxiety is to talk about it. We are always happy to explain what we’re doing. And we’re happy to take breaks when and if you need them.

Some Ideas From HealthDay TV:

Helping Us Know You Better Makes A Difference Too!

Lots of things are uncomfortable when they’re new, or outside your routine. We want you to feel at home in our practice, so help us get to know you better. One of the best ways is through our social media channels—especially on our Facebook page. Connect with us there and leave a comment or Like. You can also direct message us there. We’re listening.Do you have a recommendation for overcoming dental anxiety? Something that’s worked for you? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below!

We appreciate and value your trust. Thanks for being our patient!

DOES FREQUENT SNACKING PRESENT PROBLEMS FOR OUR TEETH? Well, it depends. Every time we eat, our mouths go to work cleaning things up and restoring “balance”.

Having three meals a day is one thing. But when we continuously snack, our mouths struggle more to maintain that clean, happy balance—especially when we’re eating the wrong kinds of foods.

The Types Of Foods We Snack On Make A Difference

Some snacks are hard to resist, but they’re also harder on your teeth. This includes starchy foods, sugary foods, and really acidic things like orange juice or energy drinks. So what does it mean to snack smart? Snacking smart doesn’t mean you have to cut out those hard-to-resist snacks altogether. After all, what are we supposed to do in the theater while we’re watching a movie?! But smart snacking DOES mean a couple of things:

1. Being more aware! Start noticing the snacks you’re eating, and WHEN you’re eating them.

2. Keeping “teeth-healthy” snacks handy. At first you’ll miss the sweets. But very quickly your tastes will adjust and smart snacks will easily tide you over between meals and late at night. Here are some suggestions:

• Crunchy, fibrous vegetables and fruits, like apples, actually scrub your teeth and increase saliva flow.
• Protein-rich foods like beans, meats, and eggs have phosphorus and minerals that help build strong teeth. Try edamame as a snack!
• Cheese is sugar/starch free, and dairy products are high in calcium which is great for teeth.

Did You Know An Apple Is Like A Mini Toothbrush?

When you’re craving a snack, practice putting away the crackers and cookies. Opt for something that’s good for your teeth instead. Enjoy this video that explains more!

Eating Treats With Your Meals

Don’t torture yourself. If you choose, having a starchy or sugary treat once in a while is fine. Eating them at the right time can help too, and potentially have a less damaging effect on your teeth.

• Eat treats WITH a meal to help dilute their effects and wash them down. During meals, you have increased saliva flow to clean away debris, counteract acids, and remineralize your teeth.
• Follow up with brushing or rinsing—and when brushing isn’t convenient, consider chewing on some sugar-free gum.

Do you have smart snacking tips of your own? We’d love to hear them! You can leave a comment below, or you can always reach us on our Facebook page.

Thanks for your trust in our practice! We appreciate you!

LET’S DO A QUICK EXPERIMENT right now! Look across the room and catch someone’s eye. Now smile at that person. Did they smile back? We’re guessing they did. Smiles are amazing in that way! New studies show that your smile is much more powerful than you think.

Happiness (expressed through your smile) Is Contagious

A recent UCSD/Harvard study documented how happiness spreads through the interactions we have with others—AND how it continues to spread beyond those we have direct contact with! You don’t even need to be close friends or family to be influenced by someone else’s happiness—it’s passed on to neighbors, coworkers, and friends of friends too.

Smiles Spread More Than Frowns

A North Dakota State University smile study concluded that smiles are way more likely to spread to others than frowns—even though researchers assumed before the study that they would be equally contagious.In this crazy world, isn’t it nice to know that positive vibes move more quickly and efficiently than negative vibes?

It’s Another Reason Your Smile Is So Important

Here are a couple of the very best ways to unleash the powerful potential of YOUR smile to make the world a better place:

• Keep your smile healthy. Brush and floss every day, and be sure you’re having regular checkups and professional cleanings.
• If there’s something about your smile that’s keeping you from sharing it often, let’s visit. Ask us about ways you can have the confidence to smile more. No need to be self-conscious. We can help.

This Video Is Cute, However…

Enjoy the video below ONLY for the SMILES! We DON’T want you to drink more soda pop OR open bottles with your teeth!

As Always, Thank You

We try not to be annoying by badgering you for referrals. However, if you have an extended family member, coworker, neighbor, or friend (even that sort of odd guy who grooms your poodle) who’s looking for a great oral health care provider, please share our practice with them. We love the new patients who come to us through you—our current patients. They typically become our favorites. Thanks.

We appreciate you!

MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW ALCOHOL affects their bodies, but we rarely talk about the effects on our oral health. With all the parties and gatherings with friends and family during the holidays, it’s a good time to learn more about it.

Consider What You’re Drinking From Your Mouth’s Point Of View

• Acidity – Most alcoholic drinks are very acidic. This is especially true for drinks that are mixed using sodas and fruit juices. All of this acid can really eat away at your teeth.
• Staining – Red wine, especially, can stain your teeth. And remember that bonds and newly-whitened teeth are very vulnerable to staining.
• Extra Sugar – The bitterness in many alcoholic drinks is counteracted with extra sugar, which you may not even notice.
• Sipping Dangers – After an acidic, sugary drink your mouth works hard to re-establish its pH balance. If you’re sipping drinks over a long period of time, your mouth struggles even more to keep a good balance. It’s like a war zone all evening long.

Some Helpful Suggestions

Being more aware of these issues will help you be smart. Here are some ideas:

Here’s One More Important Thought

Most people don’t know that regular drinking can spike your oral cancer risk. According to an American Cancer Society study a person who consumes alcohol is six times more likely to get oral cancer than someone who doesn’t consume alcohol, and 75-80% of patients with oral cancer are frequent alcohol users.

Oral cancer is a serious killer—so use your good judgment. And, make sure that you have regular oral cancer screenings.

Questions Or Comments?

Do you have any questions about alcohol’s impact on your oral health? Do you have any tips of your own about how to keep your teeth healthy during that holiday night out? Comment below or on our Facebook page! And if you ever have questions, please ask us.

Thanks for the confidence you place in our practice. Have a wonderful holiday season!

WHEN YOU SAW THE IMAGE ABOVE did you think you were on your veterinarian’s blog? OK, it’s a little unusual to talk about animals’ teeth on our practice blog but we know lots of our patients are pet owners—and a little trivia once in a while is fun.

Any Dog Owners Out There?

We know that some of you own dogs. Sometimes we forget how important it is to care for their teeth. At the end of this blog post we have a video explaining how to brush your dog’s teeth! It’s not as hard as you may think. Then again, you may just want your veterinarian to do it! You decide (see video at bottom of post).

Interesting Animal Teeth Trivia

Did you know that African elephants have just four massive molars to chew with? That’s right, only four! And did you know that their tusks are actually huge, overgrown incisors?

Here are some other creatures with interesting teeth:

• Mice: Like other rodents, mice have incisors that never stop growing. They have to continuously wear them down by gnawing and chewing.
• Geese: Birds don’t have teeth—not really. It’s one of their qualifying characteristics. However, many geese have serrations on their beaks that can look suspiciously like teeth. They’re called lamellae.
• Narwhals: The narwhal horn is the most complicated and mysterious tooth in nature. Yes, that’s right, it’s a tooth. It wasn’t until fairly recently that scientists discovered the narwhal’s horn is used primarily for navigation.
• Sharks: Sharks lose thousands of teeth in their lifetime. They shed them the way other animals shed fur. Their teeth aren’t even connected with roots like ours, so it’s easy-come-easy-go.
• Dolphins: Dolphin teeth grow a new layer every year. One could actually count the rings to determine a dolphin’s age, just as you would with a tree.
• Snails: Yes, we refer to them as teeth, but they’re very different from ours. Snails have thousands of tiny “teeth” on their tongues—made of chitin. These teeth help with scraping/grinding food, and they’re constantly regenerating.

Helping A Grizzly Bear Brush His Teeth

This comes from the North Carolina Zoo:

And Here’s The Video About Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

Man’s best friend counts on you for good oral health:

Do you know any interesting trivia about animals’ teeth? If so, share it below or on our Facebook page!

And remember, if you ever have a question about YOUR OWN teeth, be sure to ask us. We’re happy to answer any of your questions.

Thanks for being our valued patient and friend!

THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS people chew gum. For some, perhaps it’s just a long-standing habit. But ever since a man named Thomas Adams invented chewing gum back in 1870 it’s been used to freshen breath and relieve nervousness too.

But did you know…

Chewing Sugarless Gum Can Help Prevent Cavities!

That’s right. Chewing sugarless gum can actually help fight cavities. Here are some facts:

1. Gum chewing stimulates saliva production which is your mouth’s natural cleaning and buffering agent—neutralizing acids released by the bacteria in plaque!

2. Gum chewing helps wash away food particles when brushing and flossing aren’t convenient.

3. For those who don’t naturally produce sufficient salivary flow, dry mouth can create lots of oral health problems. Chewing a piece of sugarless gum for 10 minutes each waking hour for about two weeks can help remedy the problem.

4. The sweetener Xylitol, used in many sugarless gums, inhibits the growth of particular kinds of bacteria known to cause cavities. Xylitol also makes it more difficult for bacteria to stick to your teeth.

Here’s a related message from the University of Nebraska Medical Center:

And Don’t Forget…

Brands of gum containing sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Although we don’t recommend it, if you absolutely prefer gum containing natural sugar rather than artificial sweeteners, chew it for at least 15 to 20 minutes so that your saliva can rinse away the sugar residue once you’ve chewed out all the sugar.

Remember, chewing gum does NOT replace regular brushing and flossing!

If you have any questions about this for our team, be sure to ask us! We love visiting about your oral health. You can also comment below and we’ll get right back to you, or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Thanks for the trust you place in our practice. We appreciate you.

WHETHER IT’S DONE consciously or subconsciously, nail biting habits affect people of all ages. As you can imagine there are lots of possible reasons why people start biting their nails including anxiety, stress, boredom, compulsiveness, depression, etc. On the surface, nail biting may not seem like a big deal. However, fairly severe consequences can result in both oral and overall health problems.

Nail Biting’s Effects On Your Teeth

1. Nail biting can crack, chip and wear down teeth. Your front teeth are lot different than your back teeth in terms of functionality. They aren’t designed for gnawing or chewing.

2. Nail biting can shift tooth alignment and damage existing dental work.3. Nail biting risks gum tissue damage. Bitten nail pieces can easily tear into your gum tissue increasing the risk of gum disease and eventual tooth loss.

4. Nail biting can be expensive. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that nail biters incur an additional $4,000 in future dental repairs.

Nail Biting’s Effects On Your Health

Think about the most germ-concentrated areas of your body—your mouth and hands. You can imagine what happens when those two areas are in constant contact. And when there are even tiny, tiny breaks in the skin, germs get a free hall pass to your bloodstream. Yuck.

Here are a few more very compelling reasons to stop from a prominent dermatologist at Derm TV:

Tips For Quitting

Maybe you’ve always wanted to quit, but it hasn’t worked yet. Here are a few tips:

• Keep your nails looking nice. It will help motivate you to leave them alone.
• Enlist friends. Sometimes it helps to have someone remind you when you’re biting.
• Notice your trigger(s). Anxious? Bored? Learn to deal with these emotions in other ways.
• Carry a nail file and clippers. If you crack a nail or snag it, you can make repairs without biting.
• Treat your nails. There are many awful tasting products—designed for this purpose—that you can put on your nails to really deter you.

Do You Have Any Helpful Quitting Ideas To Add?

Do you struggle with biting your nails? Does someone you love bite his or her nails? We hope the content of this post has helped. Let us know if there is anything else our team can do to help, or if you have other questions.

Do YOU have any tips for quitting? Share them below or connect with us on our Facebook page. We’re always excited to hear from you!

Thanks, as always, for being our valued patients and friends. We appreciate you!