Calcium Supports Healthy Jawbone

The bone in your jaw helps support your teeth and is called alveolar bone. Calcium is a mineral that helps support healthy alveolar bone (and healthy bones in general), which, in turn, supports your teeth and helps to keep them strong in your jaw [1].

Lack of calcium has been linked to both bone and tooth loss. Women who have gone through menopause may be more at risk to experience a calcium deficiency, and certain medications can also affect calcium absorption. A simple blood test can tell if you’re getting enough calcium in your diet!

Vitamin D Affects Tooth Health and Oral Disease

Low vitamin D has been shown to impact oral health [2]. This essential vitamin affects tooth remineralization, which helps keep teeth strong to resist decay. Without enough vitamin D, the body may not have the same ability to protect tooth enamel, which could lead to an increased risk for cavities and tooth sensitivity.

Vitamin D also affects bone mineral density, as it works with calcium to keep teeth and bones strong. In addition, lacking vitamin D could increase your risk of developing periodontal disease, better known as gum disease [3]. Vitamin D also plays a role in the immune system, and may enhance the body’s ability to resist infection, which could be why people with low vitamin D may be more at risk for gum disease.

How Much Calcium and Vitamin D Should You Get?

Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is common around the world, and certain adults are also susceptible to calcium deficiency as we’ve seen. So how much calcium and vitamin D should you get to support healthy teeth and gums?

You should always consult with your doctor about specific amounts, but generally, adults (both men and women) should get about 1,000 milligrams of calcium every day, ideally from food [4].

If you have a calcium deficiency, your doctor may recommend certain supplements.

The amount of vitamin D you need will vary individually, but generally, adults should get about 600 IU of vitamin D. Your body makes vitamin D from sunlight exposure, but you can also get it from certain foods including fish, mushrooms, and milk (including fortified plant-based milks).

It’s no secret that your diet impacts your smile—and vitamin D and calcium are two of the central players when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Are you getting enough calcium and vitamin D? Find out from a blood test, and schedule a checkup with your dentist to learn how healthy your smile is!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3272860/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28161532
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4064435/
4. https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2046/index.htm

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Salmon and Other Fish

Salmon and other types of fish including tuna and sardines are high in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation. Omega-3s have also been shown to help heal gum tissue in patients with periodontal (gum) disease [1].

Vitamin D supports the body with many functions, among them being keeping your teeth and alveolar bone strong, which is the bone in your jaw that supports the teeth [2]. For the highest nutrient content and benefits, choose wild-caught fish!

Spinach

All dark green leafy vegetables are excellent for oral health, and spinach is no exception. Filled with vitamin C, iron, calcium, and potassium, these nutrients are all beneficial for our smiles as well as our bodies [3]. Calcium can help strengthen tooth enamel, and vitamin C is essential for gum health! Iron helps support your body’s natural response to infections, and potassium, as we’ll soon see, is another key player in bone health!

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices that we add to our foods such as garlic, clove, turmeric, and ginger are anti inflammatory. For example, the active component in turmeric, called curcumin, has the potential to treat oral diseases such as gum disease and even oral cancer [4].

However, while they do have their benefits, keep in mind that these spices are pungent and some, such as turmeric, can stain teeth. Water is a great buffer when consuming foods with these healthy spices, and of course, getting regular dental cleanings can keep your teeth white!

Sweet Potatoes

The perfect fall food, sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A, which supports a healthy saliva production. Saliva plays an essential role in the oral cavity, and helps to balance not only oral bacteria, but the pH of the mouth as well, therefore preventing tooth decay and supporting gum health [5].

Avocados

Did you know that avocadoes have more potassium than a banana? In fact, eating a whole avocado gives you more than 20 percent of your daily potassium requirements [6].

The high potassium content of avocados makes them beneficial for oral health, as potassium works with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D to keep your bones and teeth strong.

Avocados may even play a potential role in preventing oral cancer—plus they’re loaded with healthy fats, which can help fight the inflammation present in most diseases [7].

Do you enjoy any of these healthy foods? Adding these foods to your diet might just support systemic as well as oral health, which are, of course, connected! Next time you’re at the store, consider adding these fresh foods and helpful spices to your cart for healthy teeth and gums!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3320731/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21748977
3. https://medlineplus.gov/definitions/mineralsdefinitions.html
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633300/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6099579/
6. https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1843/2
7. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070904114442.htm

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These signs and symptoms could include a bad taste in the mouth, bad breath that won’t go away even after brushing or using mouthwash, and inflamed gum tissue. Some people may even notice bleeding when they brush or experience shifting teeth.

But what exactly causes someone to get a gum infection? Here’s how gum infections happen and how they’re treated.

Common Causes of Gum Infection

There are several things that could lead to a gum infection, but one of the most common is periodontal (gum) disease [1].

Periodontal disease is typically the result of poor oral hygiene and genetics. Plaque and bacteria build up on the teeth and can work their way below the gumline. When this happens, the connective tissue that help hold your teeth in place are damaged and can cause pockets of infection [2].

Periodontal disease can progress slowly or rapidly depending on the person and the cause. For many people, they won’t experience symptoms until the condition has advanced.

People who use tobacco are more at risk to experience a gum infection as are people who have a compromised immune system, such as people who are receiving immunotherapy drugs such as chemotherapy.

How a Gum Infection Is Treated

Prompt treatment can help reverse your gum disease and prevent it from progressing to the point that you’re at risk for tooth loss. You should ideally contact your dentist as soon as you suspect an infection might be present.

Your dentist will want to conduct a deep cleaning of your teeth—this is often referred to as a root planing and scaling in dentistry—which will help to remove the infection underneath your gums.

Taking care of your teeth and gums at home is going to be vital to healing your gum infection. You may need to adopt healthier eating habits, quit smoking, and, of course, brush and floss daily. In addition, your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help the infection go away or administer an antibiotic treatment at the office.

If your gum disease doesn’t respond to treatment or has progressed past the point that a good cleaning and antibiotics will help, you may need surgery or gum tissue grafts to help heal your smile.

For dentists that use laser technology, you may be able to receive laser therapy in conjunction with the above treatments for a more comprehensive approach to treating the infection [3].

Keep Your Gums Healthy!

Gums are vital to the health of our teeth and need to be kept healthy. Gums keep our teeth secure in our jaw and support proper oral health.

By regularly visiting your dentist in combination with regular oral health habits, you can prevent gum infections from happening in the first place. Schedule an appointment with your local dentist if you suspect a gum infection is compromising your oral health!

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/periodontal_disease/index.htm
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gum-disease
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-disease-laser-therapy

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Regardless of what’s holding you back from visiting your dentist, keep in mind that there are few things
scarier than the consequences of skipping your annual teeth cleaning. Consider the following health
risks before you decide to forgo that essential dentist appointment!

Gum Disease

With nearly half the adult population of America having some form of gum disease, this might seem like
a common problem that’s not a big deal. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Gum disease happens when plaque from inadequate oral care builds up around your gum tissue and can
cause inflammation, bleeding, and infection. Without treatment, gum disease is one of the leading
causes of tooth loss in older adults.

In addition, the inflammation and bacteria present in gum disease have been linked to many other
health conditions. From heart disease to diabetes to cancer, research is finding more and more that gum
disease could be linked to disease within the body.

Tooth Decay

Without a professional cleaning, it’s highly unlikely you’re reaching all the areas in your mouth that you
need to in order to remain plaque-free. When plaque is allowed to build up, it can turn into tartar, which
can only be removed by a dentist.

Tooth decay is an unfortunate result of unmanaged plaque. By skipping your annual cleaning, plaque is
allowed to harm your tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities that will need professional treatment.
Having cavities isn’t just inconvenient—it’s damaging to your oral health and can be costly as well. With
a simple professional cleaning, you can help prevent cavities and enjoy a smile free of tooth decay.

Teeth Staining

Besides helping to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, regular cleanings help lift surface stains out of
your tooth enamel. Through regularly removing these stains, your smile remains as bright as possible
without additional treatment.

Although your regular oral care habits at home can help remove stains daily as well, a professional
cleaning can more effectively get rid of those stains. In addition, skipping your cleaning can allow stains
to build up, which can make it harder to remove them later on, even with a professional teeth
whitening.

Greater Risk of Unhappiness

Recent research suggests that skipping regular dental appointments could lead to poorer quality of life,
as people who avoided the dentist tended to have cavities, gum disease, and missing teeth, therefore giving them more anxiety and less happiness about life due to their compromised smile.

Instead of being anxious about your smile or depressed about missing teeth, simply schedule a dentist
appointment at least once a year to keep your smile as healthy as possible!

When was the last time you saw the dentist? Your dentist plays a crucial role in keeping your smile
healthy and disease-free—and who doesn’t want that? No matter how long it’s been since you’ve had a
professional teeth cleaning, reach out to your local dentist today to reveal your beautiful smile!

The post The Consequences of Skipping Those Yearly Teeth Cleanings appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Gums are an integral part of our mouths, helping to support the teeth, protect the tooth roots,
and nurture our smiles. How can you maintain healthy gum tissue?

1. Brush and Floss

Brushing and flossing are among the top things you can do to help your gums. However, how
you brush and floss is just as important as whether or not you brush and floss!
When it comes to gum tissue, gently brushing the gumline at a 45-degree angle can help
remove bacteria that build up near the tooth roots and help prevent gum disease. Never brush
aggressively and always choose a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect the gums rather than
irritating them.

For flossing, use at least 18 inches of floss and use a clean section between every set of teeth.
Floss gently just underneath the gumline to remove plaque, food debris, and bacteria. This can
help your smile remain healthy and prevent gum disease!

2. Visit Your Dentist

Your dentist is going to be a key player when it comes to maintaining healthy gum tissue.
Dentists are trained to spot signs of gum disease in the early stages, so having a professional
check your gums is important.

Getting regular checkups can not only ensure your gum tissue is healthy, but also help you to
cultivate best practices for keeping it healthy. Your dentist can point out areas that you’ve
missed in your smile and also conduct regular cleanings to remove any plaque that has built up
near the gumline.

There’s no substitute for visiting your dentist when it comes to gum health!

3. Avoid Tobacco Products

Although far fewer people smoke today than they did decades ago, tobacco products are still a
threat to our health.

This includes our teeth and gums. Even smokeless tobacco options such as chewing tobacco still
contain nicotine, which can reduce blood supply to the gum tissue and mask symptoms of gum
disease. The same is true for e-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine to the body and can still harm
your gums.

Since these products can mask the symptoms of gum disease, many tobacco users don’t realize
there is a problem until it’s too late. Since gum disease is one of the biggest causes of tooth
loss, this is a serious problem for people around the world.

By avoiding all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, you give your gums their best chance to
remain healthy and give you a beautiful smile for life!

Are your gums as healthy as you would like them to be? Gum tissue is an integral part of our
smiles and provides us with a healthy mouth for life. Consider getting your gums evaluated with
your dentist to ensure they’re healthy and strong!

The post 3 Steps You Can Take to Help Maintain Healthy Gums appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Teeth Grinding

Athletes run a higher risk of damage to their teeth and gums through bruxism, or teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can happen during intense exercises, as a result of stress, or even an injury. It’s important to wear custom mouth guards if appropriate for the sport you’re playing. If not, try to be aware of whether or not you grind your teeth during exercises. Bruxism is a serious threat to your oral health and can lead to tooth enamel damage, inflamed gums, and even tooth loss. Consider dental guards or exercises and workouts that are low impact. You shouldn’t be grinding your teeth during an exercise, even if it’s a difficult one!

Dry Mouth

One of the biggest influential factors of poor dental health among athletes was found to be their saliva (link to study: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2014-archive/november/endurance-athletes-may-be-more-prone-to-tooth-erosion-and-caries-researchers-say) —not only did the pH of athlete’s saliva change as they worked out, but saliva also decreased due to mouth breathing. Breathing through your mouth can quickly dry out your mouth, leaving a perfect space for bad bacteria to thrive. Lack of saliva in addition to bad bacteria can erode your enamel over time and lead to cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss.

Instead of breathing through your mouth, try better breathing methods such as through your nose. It may take time to build up to working out with your mouth shut the whole time, which could mean decreasing the intensity of your workouts while your body adjusts. It’s worth it to protect your teeth!

Diet—Sports Drinks and “Health” Bars

While some studies haven’t found a direct link between athlete’s dental health and their diet, diet still plays an important role in oral health. Athletes may be predisposed to having dental problems as a result of their dry mouth, and a dry mouth isn’t the best environment to be introducing sports drinks to. The conventional sports drink is packed with processed salts and sugar, which are doing your body more harm than good!

Many “energy” bars tend to be packed with sugar as well. Learn to read the label and remember that whole foods are better than buying pre-packaged ones. Toss the sports drinks and opt for more natural alternatives, such as coconut water. If you don’t like the taste of coconut water, you can add whole salts like pink Himalayan sea salt to your water (just a pinch) to help get those trace minerals you need in addition to rehydrating.

Exercise is so important for your body! Although athletes are more at risk for poor dental health, you can adopt healthy practices to reap the benefits of exercise and still have a great smile. Don’t grind your teeth, breathe through your nose, and rehydrate with coconut water during breaks. Healthy teeth, healthy body!

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It Aims to Prevent Gum Disease

Depending on your particular stage of gum disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy may or may not be the best choice for you. You can talk with your dentist about if you would be a good candidate for this procedure. It’s not for people who have advanced stages of gum disease, but rather for those who are in the beginning stages and can try to turn around their dental health by removing bacteria and plaque.Non-surgical periodontal therapy removes and controls the bacteria that cause gum disease. The procedure’s goal is to help you halt the progression of periodontal disease and get your oral health back. Let’s look at what you can expect during the procedure and how you determine how successful it will be!

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

During non-surgical periodontal therapy, you’ll be under local anesthesia. Your dentist will then perform a detailed cleaning of your roots, teeth surfaces, and even under your gums if necessary to remove plaque and bacteria. Plaque is scraped away in a process called scaling, and roots are leveled in a process called planing. Plaque and tartar (the hardened form of plaque) are often under the gums as well and need to be removed, which will be done during the procedure as well. This allows the gums to reestablish their healthy connection with your teeth. Gum pockets may also need to be cleaned in order to get rid of bacteria that may be trapped there.

You Determine Your Own Success

During non-surgical periodontal therapy, your roots are thoroughly cleaned, bacteria is removed along with any plaque or tartar, and your mouth is ready to be healthy again. However, after your dentist has properly cleaned your mouth, you determine how successful the outcome of the procedure will be. If you don’t brush and floss, visit your dentist, and change your eating habits, the bacteria can come back in as little as a few weeks and the process of gum disease will begin all over again. You determine how effective your treatment will be. It’s vital to prevent the bacteria from coming back and colonizing in your mouth. Talk with your dentist about how to properly care for your mouth after treatment!

Consider non-surgical periodontal therapy if you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease. Talk with your dentist about the procedure and what to expect and well as healthy practices that you can adopt to enhance the outcome of this type of therapy. Remember, your gums and teeth should last for life—this treatment can get you ready to take control of your dental health and reestablish your healthy smile!

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