Avoid Dental Emergencies Over the Holidays

Dental emergencies can happen at any time. However, it’s not uncommon for a dentist’s office to see an influx of chipped or broken teeth during the holiday season. This is because the candies and other sugary foods we indulge in over the winter holidays are not the only threats to our oral health.

If you’re like many adults, the holidays are a time to kick back with a few alcoholic beverages. A few glasses of wine, a tumbler of eggnog, and a piece or two of rum cake can quickly impair your judgement and motor skills. During parties, it’s easy to drink for hours on end, consuming far more than our usual limits without even noticing it. This creates an environment where people are prone to hitting themselves in the teeth with their cups, walking into glass doors, or falling flat on their faces.

The best thing you can do to avoid an emergency this holiday season is to be mindful of your limits and drink in moderation. Try to limit your drinking to mealtimes so that it is easier for you to control your portions. Should the worst happen, visit Overlake Family Dental in Bellevue.

Holiday Stress vs. Your Teeth

It’s December, which means that many of us are deep into preparations for Christmas and winter vacation. This is a highly stressful time for most, and stress is very hard on your oral health. Too much stress encourages your gums to recede and your mouth to stop fighting infections, while aggravating tooth grinding and fostering mouth sores. So, how can you manage your seasonal stressors?

One of the best things you can do is to plan ahead for the holidays. Be mindful of how much you can handle, and never take on more than your known limitations. Identify people in your life whom you can trust, and delegate important tasks to them. Finally, if anything does go wrong, try to keep in mind that you shouldn’t be taking the holidays too seriously.

Another important thing to remember is that you should avoid letting your normal routine slide. Not only is your regular oral hygiene a big part of keeping your mouth clean, but it’s been demonstrated that maintaining a routine helps to reduce your stress.

Does Gum Disease Cause Pancreatic Cancer?

Brushing and flossing isn’t just a good way to keep strong teeth and healthy gums. Indeed, maintaining good oral health is an important part of maintaining good health throughout the rest of your body. When you suffer from tooth decay and gingivitis, you are inviting a list of other conditions upon yourself, one of which may be pancreatic cancer.

This is according to research done at the Harvard School of Public Health, which found that men who had a history of a type of gum disease known as periodontitis have a 64% greater chance of having pancreatic cancer, compared to men who never had periodontitis. The results of this study do not make it clear whether the gum disease is responsible for increasing your risk of pancreatic cancer, or if a risk factor of pancreatic cancer increases your vulnerability to periodontitis, but it seems evident that there is some sort of relationship.

One way or the other, regular dental care is a vital part of your general health. Contact our Bellevue dentistry clinic to schedule an appointment.

Are There Harmful Substances in Your Toothpaste?

Have you ever thought about what’s in your toothpaste? Though you may not be exposed to much of any particular ingredient during a single brushing, a harmful substance can quickly build up. It is widely recommended that everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day. This adds up to over seven hundred brushings every year. With this in mind, it pays to look out for the following substances found in certain pastes which may have detrimental effects on your mouth:

  • Blue Dye No. 2: Some people believe that this coloring agent is connected to learning and behavior issues in children, as well as certain allergies.
  • Hydrated Silica: This substance is commonly used as an abrasive. Possibly a little too good at its job, too much hydrated silica may break down your enamel.
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: A possible irritant for your skin and gum tissues, this chemical can invite canker sores.
  • Triclosan: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the effects of this substance are not well understood. Further study is required.

Why is My Tongue Red?

A healthy tongue should have a healthy pink color. However, some people will occasionally discover that their tongue has taken on an unusual red hue. This will sometimes be accompanied by enlarged taste buds, transforming the top of your tongue into a strawberry-like surface. This can be caused by any of the following:

  • Benign Migratory Glossitis: Alternatively known as geographic tongue, this condition is characteristic of patterns that resemble geographic formations on the surface of your tongue. These patterns may be outlined with a thin, white border. It’s usually a benign condition, but you should talk to your dentist if it persists for longer than two weeks.
  • Kawasaki Syndrome: It’s usually only young children who experience this condition. It comes with a very high fever, and possibly a swelling in the hands and feet. Should your child exhibit such symptoms, make an appointment with your family doctor.
  • Scarlet Fever: This infection is occasionally paired with a strawberry tongue. If you are suffering from scarlet fever, you will need to visit your doctor.
  • Vitamin Deficiency: A red tongue may simply point to a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid. Seek out animal products for vitamin B12, and leafy green vegetables for folic acid.