The soft tissues of the mouth include the tongue, the inside of the lips and cheeks, and the floor and roof of the mouth. Your dentist will normally check for spots, cuts, swellings, growths or other abnormal areas.

Bad oral and dental hygiene habits will lead to problems with your teeth and gums.  Continue bad oral and dental hygiene habits will over time lead to decayed and tooth loss.   Here are some good oral and dental hygiene habits that will help keep your teeth and gum healthy

1) Brush your teeth every day twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste

2) Clean between your teeth every day with dental floss

3) Snack smart and limit the amount of sugary snacks

4) Don’t smoke or chew tobacco

5) Do not forget to see your dentist regularly

Mainly bleeding gums are caused by inadequate plaque removal from the teeth at the gum line. This can lead to a condition called gingivitis, or inflamed gums.   If plaque is not removed through regular brushing and dental appointments, it will harden into what is known as tartar. Ultimately, this will lead to increased bleeding and can lead into a more advanced form of gum and jawbone disease known as periodontitis.   Other causes of bleeding gums include:
Any bleeding disorder
Brushing too hard
Hormonal changes during pregnancy
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Ill-fitting dentures
Improper flossing
Infection, which can be either tooth- or gum-related
Leukemia
Scurvy
Use of blood thinners
Vitamin K deficiency

A survey of dentists in Massachusetts suggests that their confidence in treating patients with scleroderma may be related to their familiarity with the autoimmune disease. Dentists who reported feeling knowledgeable about scleroderma felt more prepared to provide care to patients with scleroderma, when compared to peers who did not feel as knowledgeable. Providing education to dentists may improve patient satisfaction and access to care, while simultaneously increasing dentists’ knowledge and comfort.

With more and more studies providing links between oral health and over all health care it is becoming clear just how important having good oral health is for your overall well being.  Brushing Tips to good oral health

1) Most people know to brush daily at least twice a day. However you also want to make sure you are using proper equipment to get the job done to the fullest.  Use toothpaste with fluoride, brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush unless advise by a dentist to use a medium to hard bristled toothbrush.  Make sure the toothbrush you use fits your mouth comfortably.  You may want to use an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrush are often time advise if you have arthritis or other problems that make it difficult to brush effectively.

2) keep your toothbrush clean.  Make sure to always rinse your toothbrush with water after brushing. Store your toothbrush in an upright position, and allow it to air dry until using it again. Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers, which can encourage the growth of bacteria.

3) Keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible! There are 3.2 million microbes per square inch in the average toilet bowl. When you flush, aerosolized toilet funk is propelled as far as six feet, settling on the floor, the sink, and even, your toothbrush. Therefore you will want to put anything that goes inside your mouth behind closed doors (such as your medicine cabinet).

4) It is important to know when to replace your toothbrush. You will want to buy a new toothbrush or a replacement head for your electric or battery-operated toothbrush every three to four months, sooner if the bristles become frayed

In modern dentistry, amalgam fillings have become unpopular. Instead, white composite materials are more commonly used, which at first glance can hardly be distinguished from the tooth.

Photoactive materials are used in modern dentistry, which harden when they are exposed to light. Usually, only thin layers of up to 2 mm can be hardened, due to the limited penetration depth of light. A new dental filling material allows for thicker layers and faster dental procedures. Simply put, improved photoreactivity is good news for everyone who wants to spend as little time as possible in the dental chair.

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.  Make sure to advise your dentist if you are a diabetic so that proper dental care can be provided to you.
ears

In a study of 1566 community-dwelling Japanese elderly who were followed for 5 years, the risk of developing dementia was elevated in individuals with fewer remaining teeth.

Individuals with 10-19, 1-9, and no teeth had 62%, 81%, and 63% higher risks of dementia, respectively, than individuals with >20 teeth. Likewise, an inverse association was observed between the number of remaining teeth and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Source:Society for the Study of Addiction

If cost is a factor for why you do not see a dentist regularly, remember that by having dental insurance you are able to have dental care services at a much more affordable cost.  In addition most dental insurance plans provide free preventive dental care hopefully so you will not need to have larger more costly dental care services.

A new review published online today in the scientific journal Addiction has found that dental patients with substance use disorders have more tooth decay and periodontal disease than the general population, but are less likely to receive dental care. With drug use increasing by approximately three million new users each year, this is a problem that will not disappear anytime soon.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), 15 million Americans have crown or bridge replacements and three million have dental implants –  with this latter number rising by 500,000 a year.  

A research team comprising scientists from the School of Biological Sciences, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the School of Engineering at the University of Plymouth, have joined forces to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new nanocoating for dental implants to reduce the risk of peri-implantitis.

The results of their work are published in the journal Nanotoxicology.

People with dental phobia are more likely to have active caries or missing teeth, a new study from King’s College London has confirmed.

The latest study, published in the British Dental Journal, aimed to explore the social and demographic correlates of oral health and oral health related quality of life of people with dental phobia compared to those without dental phobia. The findings showed that people with dental phobia are more likely to have one or more decayed teeth, and missing teeth as well. In addition, the study showed that those with dental phobias’ reported that their oral health related quality of life is poor.

This type of headache pain can have several causes from nerve injury to dental problems. The cause of the headache behind the ear will determine symptoms and treatment.

With regards to dental problems. 

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) can cause aching behind the ear and it usually accompanied by jaw pain. The temporomandibular joints are the ball and socket joints of the jaw. These joints can become inflamed and painful. While most people with TMJ inflammation feel the pain in the jaw and behind the ear, others may just experience a headache behind the ear.

TMJ can be caused by:

• stress
• teeth grinding
• arthritis
• injury
• jaw alignment

If you feel you maybe having TMJ issues talk it over with your dentist. As a dentist will be able to confirm if in fact that is the case and help treat it.

Babies Avoid fruit juice up to the age of  one year, say the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Parents should avoid offering fruit juice to infants under the age of one year, unless advised by a doctor, as it provides “no nutritional benefit” and may harm their health. This is the according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

How dose oral bacteria make colorectal cancer more aggressive? 

Though recent study, scientists have identified a molecular mechanism through which an oral bacterium accelerates colorectal cancer growth.

Tests have shown that around a third of people who develop colorectal cancer also have the bacterium, which has the name Fusobacterium nucleaturm. Their cancer also tends to be more aggressive, but it was not clear why until the study

How to stop bleeding gums at home. 

People can usually treat minor gum bleeding at home using good oral hygiene and natural remedies 

One of the most common reason a person would have bleeding gums is because of plaque or tartar buildup.  Plaque/tartar buildup allow bacteria to grow along the gum line.  By having good oral hygiene you can prevent sensitivity and bleeding. 

Tips to Avoid Bleeding Gums

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Use a toothbrush that is not hard of stiff 
• Change out your worn toothbrush. Toothbrushes that are frayed will not clean effectively 
• Floss daily but correctly.  Do not use your floss roughly,  be gentle pushing it down and hugging the sides of each tooth as you floss 

Additional Tips if  You Have Bleeding Gums 

• You can gently press gauze in the place until the blood stops
• You can use ice. Ice packs are especially helpful to soothe minor mouth injuries that cause swelling such as cuts and scrapes. 
• Use mouthwash. Mouthwash can kill bacteria and reduce inflammation to sooth sore, swollen and bleeding gums
• Avoid Smoking.  Due you know that smoking is a major cause of gum disease, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ? 

Taking care of your dental health at home is very important but it dose not stop there.  If you see your gums bleed while brushing/flossing make sure to tell your dentist.  Having proper dental care from a dentist is key in maintaining your dental health. 

If cost is a factor. Make sure to have dental insurance there are many different types of dental insurance plans that can help you keep your own dentist or that is low in cost helping you better afford your dental care.   If you have any questions about the dental insurance plans we offer please call our office at  310-534-3444 M-F  8-4 

New research which was published in the journal  Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology,  suggests that a substance commonly found in mouthwash destroys “friendly” oral bacteria that help maintain normal blood pressure.

Baking soda and lemon juice combinations have been a popular home remedy for some time now.  People claiming that baking soda and lemon juice can improve the skin, treat heartburn and whiten your teeth.

However, several studies have examined the health benefits of baking soda and lemon juice separately, yet there is not much research to support the combined effects of baking soda and lemon juice

Mouth sores are a common complaint, and they can occur for a variety of reasons, including irritation, hormonal changes, and infection.

In most cases, mild  irritation causes a sore to appear, by avoiding the irritant can help you prevent mouth sores in the future

In other cases mouth sores can for due to underlying health conditions.  Since some mouth sores can be contagious and may require treatment, if you are concerned about chronic or long lasting mouth sores you should speak to your doctor about them.

Until you are able to see your dentist there are some home remedies you can do to have some relief from dry socket.

Dry socket occurs when a blood clot falls out of the extraction site of a recently pulled tooth. It can be very painful but here are some tips that may help

• Use Hot and Cold Compresses:  You can apply a cold compress to help relieve pain and reduce swelling the day after the tooth extraction.  Afterwards switch to using a hot compress on the outside of your face.
• Honey:  Studies show that by applying a honey dressing it decreasing pain and inflammation in people with dry socket
• Aloe Vera: Research show that applying aloe vera to a tooth extraction site can promote healing and even prevent dry socket form forming.

These are helpful tips, however know when to see your dentist.  If you have sever pain after a tooth extraction and have any symptoms of dry socket you should see your dentist for treatment. Your dentist can diagnose dry socket by a visual examination, and provided needed treatment