But decreasing the amount of added sugar in your diet isn’t easy for many people. Sugar has been shown to be as addictive as drugs such as cocaine [1]. To help you fight those pesky sugar cravings, here are some tricks that can keep you away from sugar and keep your teeth healthy!

Drink Water

The body can misinterpret thirst for hunger, which can lead you to think you’re hungry when really you’re thirsty [2]. When you’re having a craving for sugar, try drinking a glass of water and waiting your craving out for a few minutes. If the craving still doesn’t go away, decide whether it’s time to have a healthy meal or snack in place of a sugary one!

Manage Your Temptations

Managing your temptations can be an instrumental part of fighting your sugar cravings. When grocery shopping, choose healthy foods and snacks, and do your best to keep added sugar out of your cart. Added sugar is present in many foods, from sweetened yogurts to barbeque sauce to salad dressings. But by not keeping sugary snacks or sodas in your home or office, you make it easier to make the right choice when a craving hits.

Eat Enough Fiber

When you feel hungry, it’s easy to want to reach for foods that are immediately rewarding to the brain such as sugar. If you’re reducing your consumption of added sugar, consider adding more fiber to your diet if you need it. Fiber can help you feel full for longer, which may help reduce cravings and help you better manage your hunger [3].

Don’t Avoid Fruit

Fruit is beneficial to your health in ways that sugar isn’t—it provides vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds, whereas added sugar is just empty calories [4]. Whole fruit is naturally sweet, although if you’re purchasing dried or canned fruit, be sure to check the label for any sugar added to the product. Fruit can be an excellent addition to your diet to help satisfy your craving for sugar and keep your teeth and gums healthy!

Impress Your Dentist During Your Next Visit!

You can reduce your added sugar consumption and keep your teeth and gums healthy to impress your dentist during your next checkup. If you do choose to indulge in sugar occasionally, be sure to drink water to help reduce sugar’s harsh effect on your teeth, and wait a minimum of 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating.

Visiting your dentist can help support a healthy smile and keep your teeth and gums healthy whether you don’t consume added sugar at all, indulge in sugar sometimes, or are still trying to kick a daily sugar habit. Try fighting your sugar cravings with these tips!

Sources:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23719144/
2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322947#drinking-water
3. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery-
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22797986/

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But is flossing really that important to your dental health? Here’s how much flossing can impact your oral health, as well as how often you should consider flossing to see the benefits!

Yes! Flossing Gets Where Your Toothbrush Can’t Reach

The fact is that, as great as your toothbrush is, it can’t get to those tight spaces between your teeth. However, plaque, bacteria, and food particles can quickly build up in these areas. Some experts estimate that you miss about 40 percent of your mouth when you brush but don’t floss [1].

Brushing only removes plaque and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth, but where two teeth touch, your toothbrush can’t reach. This makes flossing absolutely necessary to clean plaque out of these areas where it can accumulate and cause oral health problems!

Flossing Can Help Prevent Tooth Decay, Gum Disease, and Bad Breath

Flossing goes a long way towards preventing cavities and even gum disease [2]. Your teeth are constantly exposed to bacteria and food particles that combine to make plaque, which can damage tooth enamel when not removed regularly. Plaque can also accumulate around the gumline, which can lead to gum disease.

By not removing plaque from between your teeth, you increase your risk for gum disease and tooth decay. One of the symptoms of gum disease is chronic bad breath that doesn’t go away even with brushing and using mouthwash. You need to floss to get a truly clean smile!

How Often Should You Floss for the Most Benefits?

Good news—you only need to floss once every day to see the benefits. Flossing more than once isn’t necessary unless you have food stuck in your teeth. Although it doesn’t matter what time of day you floss, there is some evidence that flossing before you brush may be better [3].

If you haven’t flossed in a while and begin a new flossing routine, keep in mind that your gums might experience some discomfort at first, including soreness and bleeding. However, these symptoms should go away as you settle into your routine, so follow up with your dentist if they continue to happen.

Remember to be gentle when you floss, as flossing too harshly can damage your gum tissue and even contribute to gum recession.

Don’t Ignore Flossing for Your Oral Health!

Flossing plays an essential role in keeping your smile clean to prevent many common oral health issues. Floss is relatively inexpensive, but if you prefer, you can invest in interdental cleaners to make flossing easier, particularly if you have mobility concerns. Don’t skip flossing for your smile!

Sources:
1. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/still-not-flossing-more-reasons-why-
2. https://www.perio.org/consumer/AAP-recommends-flossing-as-essential
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/brush-or-floss-first

The post Is Flossing Really That Important to Your Dental Health? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

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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Whether you have a lot going on or are having a more relaxed celebration this year, following these quick tips can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy this holiday season!

Incorporate Water Into Your Routine

Water plays an essential role in keeping your smile healthy. It not only helps prevent dry mouth, but it also minimizes the effect of acidic foods and drinks on your teeth, including sugar and alcohol.

Drinking water to stay hydrated as well as to rinse your mouth can help wash away leftover food, bacteria, and acids that can affect your smile [1]. Always incorporate water into your daily routine to protect your teeth and gums and reduce plaque buildup!

Watch Out for Snacking

While snacks are, of course, fine, continually eating doesn’t give your teeth a break from the acids and bacteria that they are exposed to from food. It’s good to reserve snacking to certain intervals during the day and allow your oral bacteria to rebalance after consuming food or drinks that aren’t water.

Avoid constantly eating or sipping sugary drinks during the holidays to give your smile a break—and remember to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth!

Carry Sugar-Free Gum With You

Did you know that research shows sugarless chewing gum can help prevent dry mouth, cavities, and even combat the effects of acid reflux on your smile [2]? Chewing sugar-free gum can help increase saliva production, which can essentially “rinse” your mouth to prevent acids from harming your tooth enamel.

Keeping sugar-free gum with you can help you avoid the effects of acid and bacteria on your teeth and protect your smile in-between brushing, or when you don’t readily have water or a toothbrush available!

Make Time for Yourself

Although it can feel easy to get caught up in the holiday rush, it’s important to stick to your oral care routine and brush and floss your teeth daily. Make time for yourself this holiday season, and don’t be so busy that you can’t neglect your oral health. Stress can be just as bad for your oral health as it is for your body [3]!

Also, don’t forget to schedule an appointment with your dentist for a checkup. Whether you want brighter teeth for the New Year or just need a professional cleaning, your dentist is your partner in ensuring your teeth and gums stay healthy during the holidays and the entire year!

By making some healthy choices to take care of yourself this holiday, you can protect your teeth and gums even during this hectic time of year. Follow the above tips to ensure tooth decay and gum disease don’t have an opportunity to sabotage your smile this season!

Sources:
1. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/water-best-beverage
2. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5010733/

The post Quick Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums This Holiday Season appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So what’s true when it comes to when the best time to brush your teeth is? By following a few simple guidelines, you can ensure your teeth get the best care to remain healthy and strong!

Brush Before Eating in the Morning

It’s true—the best time to brush your teeth is as soon as you wake up in the morning, before breakfast [1]. The reason for this is because if you were to brush after breakfast, you’d need to wait about an hour, especially if you had anything sugary or acidic in your meal.

Brushing immediately after having a meal can damage tooth enamel that’s softened during eating. Tooth enamel is porous and can become vulnerable to the acidity of the foods and drinks we consume. It’s better to brush before eating and then be ready for the day!

Once Per Day Is All You Need—But Twice Is Better

There is evidence showing that brushing your teeth once every day is enough to keep your teeth healthy [2]. However, there’s a case for brushing your teeth twice a day as recommended by the American Dental Association and professional dentists.

Most people aren’t able to properly remove plaque at home, which is part of what makes regular dentist visits so important. Brushing twice every day increases the chances that you’ll remove more plaque, which is necessary for preventing both tooth decay and gum disease.

What About at Night?

When brushing your teeth before bed, be sure you’ve waited at least 30 minutes but preferably one hour after eating to brush your teeth. It should be one of the last things you do before bed, so don’t brush your teeth and then eat again before bedtime [3]!

Remember Quality Over Quantity

You can brush your teeth as many times as you like, but if you don’t do it properly, you won’t be doing your teeth and gums any good. You should brush every tooth at a 45-degree angle towards the gumline with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brushing your teeth in large, swift strokes simply won’t get the job done—you need to be as detailed yet as gentle as you can.

Some people find that brushing thoroughly is easier with an electric toothbrush—no matter which toothbrush you choose to use, just be sure to use it!

The best time of day to brush your teeth is in the morning and never immediately after meals. Always wait a minimum of 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating, and remember, brushing twice a day gives you your best chance to prevent cavities and gum disease!

Sources:
1. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/teeth-cleaning
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16355646
3. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002044.htm

The post When Is the Most Optimal Time to Brush Your Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

But are electric toothbrushes actually more effective than manual ones? Here’s what research has to say about whether or not an electric toothbrush could get your teeth cleaner.

Electric Toothbrushes May Remove More Plaque

Some research shows that electric toothbrushes may remove more plaque—the substance responsible for tooth decay and gum disease—from the teeth. In one study, electric toothbrushes removed 21 percent more plaque compared to manual [1].

Electric toothbrushes could be more effective for people who have a lot of plaque in their mouths or have existing problems such as tooth decay and gum disease as the result of plaque.

Going Electric May Help Improve Gum Health

Because electric toothbrushes can remove more plaque, they allow people to clean their teeth in a way they otherwise wouldn’t, which can improve gum health [2].

Electric toothbrushes also tend to be a bit gentler on the teeth, which can be helpful for people who brush their teeth too hard with a manual toothbrush. Brushing too hard is a common cause of enamel damage and gum recession, so using a battery-operated brush may help people who have existing recessive or sensitive gum tissue.

Electric May Be More Effective for Some People

Switching from a manual toothbrush to an electric one may be more effective for people who have trouble manipulating their movements, such as people who are older, people who have health conditions such as arthritis, or even children [3].

These individuals may find it easier to operate an electric toothbrush to see a greater impact on the health and cleanliness of smiles rather than attempting to use a manual brush with limited control over its movement.

Brushing Is Important Regardless of What Method You Use

While some evidence shows battery-operated toothbrushes can be more effective at cleaning your teeth and gums, other oral health professionals say that as long as you’re brushing and flossing, it doesn’t really matter which one you use [4]. Whether you prefer a manual or electric toothbrush, it’s essential to keep up with brushing your teeth twice a day for best results!

Are you an electric toothbrush user or do you prefer a regular toothbrush? As long as you’re brushing your teeth and keeping your regular dental appointments, choose whichever toothbrush you enjoy using the most!

Sources:
1. https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/08/electric-toothbrush-vs-
manual/index.htm
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652371/
3. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/toothbrushes
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/electric-
toothbrush/faq-20058325

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While some people are predisposed to develop gum disease based on genetics and lifestyle factors such as smoking, in many cases, gum disease is entirely preventable. Here’s how you can stop gum disease from ruining your smile with a few simple steps.

Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day

Brushing your teeth is an essential part of removing plaque, which is a substance made up of bacteria that grows on the teeth. You can actually feel plaque on your teeth when you skip brushing or at the end of the day—it almost has a fuzzy feeling while brushed teeth feel smooth.

Plaque causes gum disease as it builds up around the gumline, which can irritate gum tissue and lead to ongoing inflammation and infection that can eventually compromise tooth structure. Fortunately, brushing regularly—at least once but preferably twice a day—removes plaque to keep your smile healthy [1]!

Floss Once a Day

Just like brushing, flossing helps remove plaque and bacteria from teeth. However, the important thing about flossing is that it gets in between teeth in areas that a regular toothbrush simply can’t reach [2]. People who skip flossing are missing crucial areas in their oral cavity when cleaning!

Since plaque is responsible for both tooth decay and gum disease, flossing once a day is an important part of any oral care routine. To floss properly, use a clean section of floss for every set of teeth you floss between and focus on flossing the sides of your teeth, not simply pulling the floss in and out of your teeth, which is not only ineffective but can hurt your gumline.

Visit Your Dentist

Visiting your dentist at least once a year or as recommended by your dentist can help you prevent gum disease. While brushing and flossing are certainly effective at preventing gum disease, your dentist can conduct a thorough cleaning of your teeth to remove the traces of plaque you can’t always see.

Your oral healthcare professional can also evaluate your smile for subtle signs of gum disease you might be missing [3]. The earlier you catch gum disease, the easier it is to treat and to reverse, so don’t skip your regular appointments with your dentist!

Are You Seeing Signs of Gum Disease?

If you have inflamed, red, or bleeding gums, you could have gum disease. Other symptoms include sensitive teeth and a persistent bad taste in your mouth. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine if you could have an early stage of gum disease and what you can do to treat it—getting treatment now can save your smile and prevent tooth loss later in life!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/prevent-gum-disease
2. https://www.ada.org/en/press-room/news-releases/2016-archive/august/statement-from-the-american-dental-association-about-interdental-cleaners
3. http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/patient_08.ashx

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If left untreated, the gum disease will get worse. Caused by bacteria in the mouth, gum disease—sometimes called periodontal disease—has symptoms such as chronic bad breath, tender or bleeding gums, and sensitive teeth [1].

What stages are seen in patients with gum disease as it gets worse? The following phases can help you better understand how this devastating condition works in the mouth to cause severe consequences.

Gingivitis: Early Gum Disease

Gingivitis, a word that means inflammation of the gums, is the beginning stage of gum disease. Fortunately, in this early phase, gum disease is relatively simple to reverse with a professional cleaning from your dentist and regular home care habits.

When gingivitis is present, you may see swollen gums that appear puffy, see blood when brushing, or bad breath that returns even after brushing or using mouthwash [2]. By getting regular cleanings with your dentist and taking care of your teeth at home, you can prevent gingivitis!

Periodontitis: Moderate to Severe Gum Disease

Periodontitis characterizes a more moderate to severe gum disease in which the gums actually begin to pull away from the teeth. This creates pockets of infection that can cause sensitive teeth, pain, and begin to cause damage to the connective tissue that help hold your teeth in place.

At this stage, your gum disease won’t be able to be reversed with a simple cleaning. Your dentist may suggest a professional treatment that actually goes beneath the gumline to remove bacteria and infection, also known as a root planing and scaling in an attempt to control the condition [3].

Advanced Periodontitis: Severe Gum Disease

Once your gum disease has advanced, your teeth may begin to feel loose as the supporting bone and ligaments will have been damaged by the bacteria and infection present beneath the gumline.

At this stage, gum disease will be more difficult to treat. If your teeth are shifting or loose, an extraction may be the only option to treat your smile [4]. Once your natural teeth are gone, you’ll need to consider replacements once your gum disease is under control.

Are You Seeing Signs of Gum Disease?

If you’re seeing the signs or experiencing the symptoms of gum disease, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Remember, the earlier you treat gum disease, the easier and less invasive your treatment will be. While gum disease is common in adults, it can ruin your natural smile, so don’t delay in seeking professional treatment!

Sources:
1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease/more-info
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gingivitis
3.https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Publications/Files/for_the_dental_patient_jan_2011.pdf
4. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-09/periodontal-disease_0.pdf

The post What Are the Stages of Gum Disease? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Too much or too little gum tissue can cause the gums to appear uneven. Some people will have this issue present their whole lives, while others may have it develop later in life. A crooked gumline has many causes from genetics to gum disease to hormone changes during pregnancy.

But what can be done about an uneven gumline? Here are your treatment options based on what could be causing this issue!

If Your Gums Are Receding

If your gumline is uneven due to receding gum tissue, you may see areas where the gums appear to pull back from the teeth, giving some teeth a longer appearance and exposing tooth roots. A receding gumline can also be caused by:

• Brushing your teeth too aggressively
• Gum disease
• Smoking and tobacco use

You’ll need to visit your dentist to know for certain what the cause is. If your gum recession is the result of advanced gum disease, you may need a gum graft to repair missing gum tissue [1].

However, if the appearance of your gums is caused by aggressive brushing, switching to a softer toothbrush may be able to help.

If You Have Gummy Smile

Your uneven gums could be caused by gummy smile, a condition in which gum tissue covers too much of the teeth. Gummy smile could also be caused by the muscles in the upper lip exposing too much gum tissue when smiling, in which case, dental treatment may not be appropriate.

While gummy smile typically doesn’t affect oral health, it can be treated in a cosmetic procedure called gingival contouring, or gum contouring, which can be done with a laser to essentially reshape the gum tissue to permanently improve appearance [2].

If the Cause is Genetic

When uneven gums are caused by genetics, gum reshaping is usually the best treatment option to give you a smile that looks natural and healthy.

This form of cosmetic gum surgery will require that you treat any underlying issues beforehand—for instance, if you have a mild form of gum disease, it’ll need to be addressed before the procedure.

A gum contouring procedure can be done at your dentist’s office with local anesthesia and requires minimal recovery time, for some patients a few days and up to two weeks depending on your unique smile [3]. Your dentist can let you know more about what to expect during your consultation.

Are You Experiencing Uneven Gum Tissue?

If you have uneven gums, there is treatment available to help restore your appearance based on what’s causing the issue. Your dentist can further evaluate your gums to determine how best to treat your irregular gumline and give you a beautiful smile.

Schedule an appointment with your oral healthcare professional today to learn about your options!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-graft-surgery
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672859/
3. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-contouring-procedure#2-6

The post What Can Be Done to Treat an Uneven Gumline? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

The truth is that even with great home care habits, plaque still accumulates in places you can’t reach in your mouth. By visiting the dentist, you not only get a thorough cleaning, but also lower your risk for oral disease.

Here’s why those regular teeth cleanings continue to be an important part of a healthy smile!

Remove Surface Stains

Our teeth are strong and meant to last a lifetime, but our enamel is porous. What this means is that the foods we eat and the drinks we consume can stain our tooth enamel over time [1].

This is why some people tend to have a yellowish or brownish hue to their teeth as they age. Stains can become harder to remove over time as they accumulate. A professional cleaning will regularly remove these stains, which results in an overall brighter smile even without a professional teeth whitening.

Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

While brushing and flossing your teeth certainly goes a long way towards removing plaque and bacteria from your mouth, it’s impossible to remove every trace of plaque. Inevitably, plaque will accumulate in between teeth and on the backs of teeth where not everyone remembers to brush.

Plaque and bacteria can build up around the gumline and cause gum disease, which is the primary cause of tooth loss in older adults [2]. Plaque and bacteria are also responsible for tooth decay, which can result in the need for fillings, root canals, and even tooth extractions.

Save Money

Seeing your dentist helps prevent problems with your smile that can save you big bucks in the long run. Consider the cost of treating gum disease, getting a cavity filled, having a root canal procedure, or repairing damage from an injury.

Having to fix a painful problem at the dentist can be taxing on your dental insurance or, even worse, generate large out-of-pocket costs. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, talk to your local dentist about a payment plan or a preventative care plan.

Many dentists offer affordable preventative care plans for checkups and cleanings to make such care accessible and to help you prevent problems with your teeth and gums.

Stay Healthy

An ever-growing body of research is linking devastating health conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer to gum disease, which the majorly of American adults have in some form [3].

Although exactly why this happens isn’t clear yet, experts believe bacteria from your mouth can travel through the bloodstream and cause inflammation, which can result in a variety of health issues.

Many oral healthcare professionals believe the mouth is an indicator of a person’s overall
health. By visiting your dentist to maintain a clean and healthy smile, you can help support your overall wellness!

Are You Ready to Schedule Your Next Cleaning?

Yes, you will need to take time out of your day to go and get your teeth cleaned, but, your
mouth will feel squeaky clean afterward and you’ll feel even better knowing you’re helping to lower your risk of disease and investing in a beautiful smile for life!

Sources:
1. https://now.tufts.edu/articles/what-causes-discolored-teeth-and-there-any-way-cure-
or-prevent-staining
2. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/periodontal-disease
3. https://www.aacrfoundation.org/Science/Pages/assessing-gum-disease-cancer-risk.aspx

The post Why Do You Need Those Regular Teeth Cleanings? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.