Spotting Health Issues Via the Mouth

Your dental problems can reveal a lot about the state of your general health Any good dentist can spot a health issue happening in some part of your system just by a close and thorough oral examination. Here are some red flags manifesting in the oral cavity.

Diabetes makes periodontal disease worse. If gums bleed a lot and are swollen or the patient is having frequent abscesses or infections, the dentist might start to question if you have a family history of diabetes. Red, swollen gums that may bleed are the hallmarks of periodontal disease.

Acid reflux can wear away teeth. Research shows that 24 percent of people with GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease have tooth erosion, which a dentist can easily spot. The condition can also cause foul-smelling breath and sometimes redness at the opening of your throat.

Signs of stress can appear in your mouth. If you grind or clench your teeth, it appears as tooth erosion and you will experience pain or tooth sensitivity. It can create TMJ problems, because it has changed bite height. There’s also a risk of fracture. A painful canker sore is another sign of stress. A white or red lesion the mouth that doesn’t clear up in two weeks can be a sign of oral cancer.

Osteoporosis can lead to tooth loss. Loose teeth, including dentures that have become loose, and receding gums can be signs of low bone mineral density. Studies have shown that women with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience tooth loss than those who do not have the disease. X-rays are effective in identifying people with osteoporosis compared to those with normal bone density.

Sjogren’s syndrome and certain meds can cause dryness. The autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome attacks the glands that make saliva and tears, can cause dryness in the mouth and eyes and increase the risk of cavities. There’s no cure for the condition but it can be managed by hydration.

Anorexia and bulimia are eating disorders that can affect teeth. Anorexia, with lack of calcium, iron and B vitamins, can cause tooth decay, gum disease, canker sores, and dry mouth. With bulimia, stomach acid from vomiting can erode tooth enamel, causing sensitivity and changing the color and shape of the teeth.

Celiac disease is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and can affect the teeth, leading to dental enamel defects. It can cause tooth discoloration: white, yellow, or brown spots on the teeth. It can also cause teeth to appear pitted or banded. Other symptoms are recurring canker sores, a smooth, red tongue and dry mouth. A gluten-free diet is an effective management of the disease.

Everyday Easy Teeth Cleaning Tips

If you should find yourself without your toothbrush, can’t procure one, or in a great hurry to get ahead with other things, here are a few unusual yet quite logical solutions to be able to still have a clean mouth and fresh breath after eating or drinking.

Did you know that cinnamon-flavored chewing gum reduces bacteria in the mouth? Cinnamon-flavored gum contains cinnamic aldehyde, a plant essential oil that inhibits the growth of cavity causing bacteria. So keep handy that kind of chewing gum in your purse. Just in case.

End your meal with foods that scrub your teeth. So enjoy apples, carrots, and celery.

Drink a cup of tea. Tea contains flavonoids that prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to teeth, and also block production of a type of sugar that contributes to cavities. Tea also contains high amounts of fluoride which strengthens teeth. Be careful, certain teas can stain.

Get a thorough mouth rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash. There are studies that suggest a link between mouthwash containing alcohol and an increased risk of oral cancer.
The more water you drink, the more bacteria you flush off your teeth and out of your mouth, which means less risk of gum disease, fewer cavities, and fresher breath.

Chewing gum with xylitol reduces the bad bacteria in your mouth. Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in chewing gum. Chewing on it a few times a day changes the chemistry of your mouth and can help keep cavities away.

Healthy Teeth, Healthy Mouth at Bellevue Overlake Dental

These are a few “life hacks” or tips on the web of people’s experiences. Learn more mouth cleaning tips from your Bellevue dentist at Overlake Dental. But know that any good dentist will subscribe to the basics of oral hygiene – brushing and flossing. The non-conventional means are helpful nonetheless.

How Do I Improve My Oral Health in 2018?

With 2018 upon us, it sure is a good excuse to start making changes or improvements in our day-to-day living. A new year always brings you into a sphere of self-realization and a call to action. One of the few things we might have taken for granted last year, if not for quite some time, is the state of our oral health. A few areas that call for improvement, and if we act on them, can spell major difference. Maybe any of the following is worth looking into.

Am I brushing my teeth right and flossing everyday? Consider brushing at least twice a day with a good fluoride toothpaste, taking at least a no-hurry two minutes doing so. Remember that even adults can benefit from fluoride, that one which strengthens the enamel and staves off plaque-building bacteria. Brush with conscience – all sides, back teeth, including the tongue. Highly recommended to floss, at least before bed. Know that cavities start in hidden places and untouched bacteria colonize within 12 hours.

When was the last time you visited the dentist?

Maybe you’ve been putting off that appointment. Know that the your dentist can see what you cannot see, even if it looks obvious to you that you are in the pink of oral health. Every 6 months is the recommended dental appointment and skipping that may lead to the development of unforeseen issues.

Covering a whole spectrum of oral concerns, visits to the dentist involve cavities detection, presence of cracks, pulp health, gingival health, tongue health, oral mucosa inspection, bite exam, color change of any kind, root and bone health, among others. Every 6 months, a good cleaning is in order as well.

Know from your dental visits, too, about lifestyle modifications that can impact oral health. You probably know about them, but are you a compliant patient? Current medications may affect teeth and gums such as causing some unwanted side effects.

Where diet and nutrition are concerned, you must know also about beneficial foods and which ones to avoid or consume in moderation. Have you followed certain lifestyle modifications, like smoking alcohol consumption and sleep habits. Have you made particular adjustments now that you are wearing dental appliances, like orthodontic braces, fixed or removable bridges, implants, among others?

Better Health and Brighter Smiles for 2018

Mind the health of your teeth and gums and they will serve you in good stead for many, many years more. It is never too late to take on your resolutions and bring them to fruition, for a better and brighter smile.

When Older Patients Become Malnourished

If you are already malnourished, losing your teeth and eventually wearing dentures can further increase malnutrition risk. This was found out in a recent study from King’s College London. People over the age of 50 who have lost some teeth and/or are using dentures may be avoiding some healthier foods because of their decreased ability to chew properly.

Published in the journal Geriatrics and Gerontology International, the study involved 1,852 people in the US aged 50 and over enrolled in a national health and nutrition survey. There were 3 separate groups: those having at least 20 teeth, those with dentures with fewer than 20 teeth, and those who did not wear dentures but had fewer than 20 teeth. The frailty level of all participants was measured using handgrip strength tests; also assessed were their nutrition levels, oral health, and body mass index (BMI).

The results say that those with more than 20 teeth were significantly less likely to be frail than those with fewer than 20 teeth who did not use dentures. Also, those with the most number of teeth were more likely to have a nutritious diet than those with fewer than 20 teeth and those those who wore dentures.

Tooth Loss

Tooth loss may affect older people’s ability to chew and chew effectively. However, the study did not explore why tooth loss and dentures is linked to bone and muscle frailty. Those with dentures may have a weaker biting force, hence, may be unable to chew harder, more nutritious foods.

Other studies have suggested that an adequate calorie intake, with sufficient micronutrients, play an important role in musculoskeletal frailty. Other researchers have argued that the culprit may be tooth loss, which affects chewing ability. The King’s College study generally agrees with both these assessments.

It may be an important consideration that where the subject of nutrition and musculoskeletal frailty in older people are concerned, denture use and oral health should be looked into seriously.

Examining Older Patients’ Nutrition in Bellevue

Our experienced team at Overlake dental apply more consideration to the older adult’s oral health. The patient’s age, number of teeth, use of dentures, musculoskeletal frailty, and state of nutrition are highly interlinked and contributory to oral health.

Bellevue Dental Implants

Home-Care Ideas for the New Dental Implants

Going for a dental implant is a major decision you can make with your oral surgeon or implantologist. Certainly, you have been well educated about your options and your final choice. There is no need for you to fear – you have made wise judgment. Implants are not only the most updated of your options, it is also safe and cost-effective in the long run.

After you have had the surgery, it is certainly not the end of the treatment road. Crucial are instructions and precautions from your specialist that you must take to mind as you recover from the procedure. There may be after effects to expect to enable you to better handle situations.

For example, there is presence of swelling and bruising in the area where you’ve had treatment. It is completely normal. You’ve had surgery that opened up part of your gum and bone tissues so some after effects can be felt. However, if pain is severe, consult with your specialist right away.

Your gums will feel tender in the next 2 to 6 days as the tissues try to adjust to the presence of the foreign body, which is your titanium screw in your mouth.
Though your specialist has ensured there will be less bleeding after the surgery, it might happen that you’ll encounter some oozing of blood from the site. It might extend to 24 hours. If it happens, just apply gentle pressure on the gauze for an hour after the surgery.

Oral hygiene is supreme now, more than ever for dental implant patients. You start with rinsing your mouth every 4 to 6 hours with salt water for the next two weeks. Salt water soothes and massages swelling gums while it also inhibits bacterial growth at this crucial time.

You are encouraged to brush and floss your teeth but avoid brushing the operated area as it might interfere with the stitches. Use a low-abrasive toothpaste to avoid scratching any exposed surfaces of the implant.

Do not drink alcohol or smoke during the healing process as both can hamper wound healing and delay it considerably.

Team Effort in Bellevue

Don’t forget to visit us after your implant surgery. We at Overlake Dental are keeping an eye on your progress and healing patterns so we can respond immediately to your needs. Remember that bone healing and proper integration are essential to implant success and so is following your home-care guidelines.