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Posts for category: Oral Health

4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
February 07, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral hygiene   pediatric dentistry  
4ThingstoAvoidifYouWanttoSupportYourChildsDentalDevelopment

Your child's oral development generates considerable changes during their "growing up" years. There are a number of things you can do to help support their development—but also things you shouldn't.

Here are 4 things not to do if you want your child to develop healthy teeth and gums.

Neglect daily oral hygiene. To set the best long-term course for optimum oral health, begin cleaning the inside of your child's mouth even before they have teeth. Simply use a clean wet washcloth to wipe their gums after feeding to reduce bacterial growth. Once you begin seeing teeth, start brushing them every day with just a smear of toothpaste; at about age 2 you can increase that to a pea-sized amount. And don't forget to teach them when they're ready to brush and floss on their own!

Allow unlimited sugar consumption. Besides the effect it has on overall health, sugar is also a prime food source for disease-causing oral bacteria. You can reduce the sugar available for bacterial growth by avoiding sugary snacks and limiting sweet foods to meal times. Less sugar means less bacterial growth—and a lower risk of tooth decay for your child.

Put them to bed with a sugary liquid-filled bottle.  Although a bedtime bottle may help calm your baby to sleep, it could also increase their risk of tooth decay. Allowing them to sip on sugar-filled liquids like juice, milk, formula or even breast milk encourages bacterial growth. Bacteria in turn produce acid, which can dissolve the minerals in enamel and open the door to tooth decay. Sipping through the night also deprives saliva of adequate time to neutralize acid.

Wait on dental visits until they're older. Dental and pediatric associations all recommend first taking your child to the dentist sooner rather than later—by their first birthday. Starting dental visits early will help you stay ahead of any developing tooth decay or other oral problems. And just as important, your child will have an easier time "warming up" to the dental office environment at a younger age than if you wait. Dental visit anxiety, on the other hand, could continue into adulthood and interfere with regular dental care.

If you would like more information on the best dental care practices for your child, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Top 10 Oral Health Tips for Children.”

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4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
January 18, 2019
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral hygiene  
4WaystoCheckonYourBrushingandFlossingEffectiveness

For most of us, brushing and flossing is a routine part of daily life. But has it become such a routine that you may not be getting the most out of your daily regimen?

First, let's be clear about what you're trying to accomplish with these two important hygiene tasks, which is to remove as much accumulated dental plaque as possible. This thin film of bacteria and food particles is the primary cause for both tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

So how can you tell if you're effectively cleaning dental plaque from your teeth? Here are 4 ways to check your brushing and flossing skills.

The tongue test. Move your tongue across the surface of your teeth, especially at the gum line, immediately after brushing and flossing. "Plaque-free" teeth will feel smooth and slick. If you feel any grittiness, though, you may be missing some plaque.

Floss check. For a similar effect after your daily hygiene take a fresh piece of floss and run it up and down your teeth. If the teeth are clean and you are using un-waxed floss, the floss should "squeak" as you move it up and down.

Disclosing agents. You can also occasionally use a plaque disclosing agent. This product contains a solution you apply to your teeth after brushing and flossing that will dye any leftover plaque a specific color. Disclosing agents are handy for uncovering specific areas that require more of your future hygiene attention.  And don't worry—the dye is temporary and will fade quickly.

Dental visits. For the ultimate test, visit your dentist at least twice a year. Not only can dental cleanings remove hard to reach plaque and calculus (hardened tartar), but your dentist or hygienist can evaluate how well you've been doing. Consider it your "final exam" for oral hygiene!

Be sure to also ask your dental provider for tips and training in better brushing and flossing. Becoming more effective at these critical tasks helps ensure you're keeping your teeth and gums free of disease.

If you would like more information on best oral hygiene practices, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Daily Oral Hygiene: Easy Habits for Maintaining Oral Health.”

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Diabetes and Oral Health: True or False?

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
November 19, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   diabetes  
DiabetesandOralHealthTrueorFalse

November is National Diabetes Month—a time to focus on a disease that affects more than 400 million people around the world. What does diabetes have to do with oral health? Plenty! Here's a true-or-false quiz to test your knowledge on this important topic.

TRUE OR FALSE:

1. Diabetes and gum disease are connected.
TRUE. Studies have found a clear association between diabetes and gum (periodontal) disease, especially when diabetes is not well controlled. People with poorly controlled diabetes have a more severe inflammatory response to the bacteria that cause gum disease. While inflammation is normally a protective reaction of the body's immune system, too much inflammation can actually make the condition worse. In the case of gum disease, the reverse is also true: Untreated gum disease can worsen blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The good news is that treatment of periodontal disease has been shown to improve blood sugar control.

2. People with diabetes can't have dental implants.
FALSE. Research has shown that dental implants can be a very successful tooth-replacement treatment for people with diabetes. But again, blood sugar control can be a factor. Dental implants are titanium posts that serve as artificial tooth roots. Minor surgery is required to insert an implant into the bone beneath the gums; a realistic-looking dental crown is later attached to it so it can look and function like a natural tooth. Studies have shown that it takes longer for the bone to heal around implants in people with poorly controlled diabetes. That doesn't make implant treatment impossible, but it does mean that it may be managed differently. For example, an implant may be allowed to heal for a longer period of time before a crown is attached to it.

3. People with diabetes can't do anything to improve their oral health.
FALSE. People with diabetes can have a very positive impact on their oral heath, by doing their best to control blood sugar levels with a healthy diet and exercise, and by sticking to an effective daily oral hygiene routine. This includes brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, and flossing at least once each day to remove bacterial plaque between teeth. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are also essential—not just for people with diabetes, but for everyone!

If you have additional questions about diabetes and oral health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can learn more about diabetes and oral health by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Good Oral Health Leads to Better Health Overall.”

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Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
November 09, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: celebrity smiles   oral cancer  
SteelyDanFoundersDeathHighlightsImportanceofEarlyCancerDetection

Fans of the legendary rock band Steely Dan received some sad news a few months ago: Co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly at the age of 67. The cause of his death was an aggressive form of esophageal cancer. This disease, which is related to oral cancer, may not get as much attention as some others. Yet Becker's name is the latest addition to the list of well-known people whose lives it has cut short—including actor Humphrey Bogart, writer Christopher Hitchens, and TV personality Richard Dawson.

As its name implies, esophageal cancer affects the esophagus: the long, hollow tube that joins the throat to the stomach. Solid and liquid foods taken into the mouth pass through this tube on their way through the digestive system. Worldwide, it is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths.

Like oral cancer, esophageal cancer generally does not produce obvious symptoms in its early stages. As a result, by the time these diseases are discovered, both types of cancer are most often in their later stages, and often prove difficult to treat successfully. Another similarity is that dentists can play an important role in oral and esophageal cancer detection.

Many people see dentists more often than any other health care professionals—at recommended twice-yearly checkups, for example. During routine examinations, we check the mouth, tongue, neck and throat for possible signs of oral cancer. These may include lumps, swellings, discolorations, and other abnormalities—which, fortunately, are most often harmless. Other symptoms, including persistent coughing or hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and unexplained weight loss, are common to both oral and esophageal cancer. Chest pain, worsening heartburn or indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can also alert us to the possibility of esophageal cancer.

Cancer may be a scary subject—but early detection and treatment can offer many people the best possible outcome. If you have questions about oral or esophageal cancer, call our office or schedule a consultation. You can learn more in the Dear Doctor magazine article “Oral Cancer.”

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Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

By Parmer Oaks Dental Care
October 30, 2018
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   gum disease  
InflammationtheLinkBetweenGumDiseaseandCardiovascularDisease

Cardiovascular disease and periodontal (gum) disease are two different conditions with their own set of symptoms and outcomes. But they do share one common element: inflammation. In fact, this otherwise normal defensive response of the body might actually create a link between them.

When tissues become damaged from disease or injury, the body triggers inflammation to isolate them from the rest of the body. This allows these tissues to heal without affecting other tissues. If inflammation becomes chronic, however, it can damage rather than protect the body.

This happens with both cardiovascular disease and gum disease. In the former, low-density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) in animal fat leave behind remnants that can build up within arteries. This stimulates inflammation of the vessel’s inner linings, which accelerates hardening and increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.

With gum disease, bacteria living in a thin, built-up film of food particles on the teeth called plaque infect the gum tissues, which in turn trigger inflammation. A struggle ensures between the infection and inflammation, causing the gum tissues to weaken and detach from the teeth. Coupled with erosion of the supporting bone, the risk of tooth loss dramatically increases.

Recent research now seems to indicate the inflammatory responses from these two diseases may not occur in isolation. There is evidence that gum inflammation could aggravate inflammation in the cardiovascular system, and vice-versa. The research, though, points to some possible good news: treating inflammation in either disease could have a positive effect on the other.

Making heart-friendly lifestyle changes like losing extra weight (especially around the waist), improving nutrition, and exercising regularly can help reduce LDL and lower the risk of arterial inflammation. Likewise for your gums, daily oral hygiene and visiting the dentist at least twice a year reduces the risk for gum disease. And at the first sign of a gum infection—swollen, reddened or bleeding gums—seeking immediate treatment will stop it and reduce any occurring inflammation.

Taking steps to prevent or reduce inflammation brought on by both of these diseases could improve your health and save your life.

If you would like more information on how your oral health affects your whole body, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “The Link between Heart & Gum Disease.”

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Older Posts Oral Health (57)
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Archive:

  • 2019
      • February (3)
        • A Bonded Retainer Might be a Better Choice After Braces
        • Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for Me?
        • 4 Things to Avoid if You Want to Support Your Child's Dental Development
      • January (3)
        • Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
        • 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
        • Crown Lengthening Might be Necessary for Seniors with Tooth Decay
  • 2018
      • December (3)
        • What You Need to Know to Buy the Right Toothbrush
        • Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
        • New Year, New Smile
      • November (3)
        • A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
        • Diabetes and Oral Health: True or False?
        • Steely Dan Founder's Death Highlights Importance of Early Cancer Detection
      • October (4)
        • Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
        • Common Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures to Overhaul Your Smile
        • 3 Surprising Sugar Sources Your Baby Might be Consuming
        • New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
      • September (3)
        • Fan of Superhero Film Black Panther Breaks Steel Wire...with Her Mouth!
        • Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
        • Have Your Child's Chronic Mouth Breathing Checked to Avoid Bite Problems
      • August (5)
        • Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
        • How Can Bonding Help My Smile?
        • Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
        • Back to School Do's and Don'ts
        • A Root Canal Can Stop Tooth Decay and Save Your Tooth
      • July (3)
        • Advances in Porcelain Veneers Improve Both Strength and Appearance
        • Spice Up Your Teeth
        • Teens with Missing Teeth may need a Temporary Fix Until They're Older
      • June (4)
        • Tips for Picture-Perfect Summer Smiles
        • June Is Men's Health Month
        • Versatility Of Porcelain Veneers
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • May (3)
        • Take Steps to Treat Chronic Mouth Breathing as Early as Possible
        • Increase Your Implant's Success Chances by Keeping Your Gums Healthy
        • 3 Things You Need to Know about Easing Anxiety Over Dental Visits
      • April (3)
        • Show Off Your Best Possible Smile
        • How Big Bang Theory Actress Mayim Bialik Gets Her Kids to Floss
        • Getting Dental Implants Requires Minor Surgery
      • March (3)
        • We may Need to Remove one or More Teeth Before Applying Braces
        • Are Lasers for Gum Disease Treatment in Our Future?
        • There’s No Need to Fear the Dentist
      • February (3)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Could Your Metal Allergy Keep You From Obtaining Dental Implants?
        • February Focuses on Children's Dental Health
      • January (2)
        • What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
  • 2017
      • December (3)
        • Why You Should Choose a Family Dentist
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
        • Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
      • November (3)
        • How to Lessen the Effects of Chronic Dry Mouth
        • Don’t Ignore Your Tooth Loss
        • Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
      • October (2)
        • Bad Breath in Children
        • Toothbrushing Tips
      • September (2)
        • Effective Hygiene is Key to Preventing Enamel White Spots While Wearing Braces
        • (Don't) Break It Like Beckham
      • August (4)
        • Need a Root Canal? Here's a Step-by-Step Guide on What to Expect
        • What Soda Can Do to Your Teeth
        • Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
        • Be Sure to Have a Dental Exam Before Whitening Your Teeth
      • July (2)
        • Actor David Ramsey Says: Don't Forget to Floss!
        • Orthodontists can Use Other Tools with Braces for Complex Bite Problems
      • June (3)
        • What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
        • Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
        • You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
      • May (3)
        • Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
        • Get a Smile You Love
        • We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
      • April (2)
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
        • Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
      • March (3)
        • Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
        • Safety is a Priority When Imaging Children's Teeth with X-Rays
        • Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
      • February (2)
        • What Are Crowns & Bridges?
        • A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
      • January (4)
        • Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
        • The True Cause of Your Gummy Smile Determines How We Treat it
        • America's (Dentists) Got Talent - for Fixing Damaged or Missing Teeth!
        • FAQS about Oral Cancer Screenings
  • 2016
      • December (2)
        • Having Trouble Flossing? Try Using an Oral Irrigator
        • In Today's NFL, Oral Hygiene Takes Center Stage
      • November (3)
        • Orthodontics Could be the Smile Transformer You've Been Looking For
        • Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
        • Which Cosmetic Procedure Would Work Best For You?
      • October (3)
        • Orthodontic Headgear: What It Is and Why It May be Needed
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
        • Extracting Certain Teeth can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
      • September (2)
        • Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
        • How we Treat your Jaw Pain Depends on the Cause
      • August (3)
        • Does My Child Have a Cavity?
        • Dental Magic Transforms Smiles
        • Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
      • July (3)
        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
        • 4 Diet Changes You Should Make for Better Oral Health
        • Dental Crowns for the King of Magic
      • June (3)
        • Why It Pays to Have One Dentist for the Whole Family
        • The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
        • Giancarlo Stanton Gets Major-League Mouth Protection
      • May (2)
        • 3 Causes for Implant Failure and What You can do About Them
        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • April (4)
        • Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
        • The Benefits of Composite Fillings
        • Staining Within a Tooth Requires a Clinical Whitening Approach
        • Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
      • March (2)
        • Treating Small Enamel Cracks Could Help you Avoid a Dangerous Tooth Fracture
        • Dr. Travis Stork: Don't Ignore Bleeding Gums
      • February (3)
        • Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
        • When Should My Child Go to the Dentist?
        • A Royal Fix
      • January (3)
        • Which Cosmetic Procedure is Right for Me?
        • While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
        • Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
  • 2015
      • December (3)
        • Treating a Baby Tooth with Inner Decay can be Complicated - but Still Necessary
        • Are Sealants Right For My Child?
        • A Toothless Tiger?
      • November (2)
        • There may be more to that Toothache that Suddenly Stops Aching
        • New Front Teeth for a Teenaged David Duchovny
      • October (2)
        • FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
        • Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
      • September (2)
        • Don't Allow Your Age to Stop You from a New Smile with Orthodontics
        • Sofia Vergara: 'Obsessed' With Oral Hygiene
      • August (3)
        • Keep a Close Eye on Your Dental Health While Undergoing Cancer Treatment
        • Oral Cancer Screenings Could Save Your Life
        • Lamar Odom Rebounds From Dental Anxiety
      • July (2)
        • A Healthy Diet Could Lower Your Risk of Oral Cancer
        • Chrissy Teigen's Teeth-Grinding Troubles
      • June (3)
        • Take Steps to Reduce Mouth Acid and Avoid Dental Erosion
        • Are Dental Implants Right for Me?
        • Beyonce Makes Flossing a Family Affair
      • May (2)
        • The Time Interval to Replant a Knocked Out Tooth Can Affect its Longevity
        • Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
      • April (3)
        • Oral Health Can Prove Challenging in Your Senior Years
        • Leave Your Dental Anxiety at the Door with Sedation Dentistry
        • Olivia Newton-John Learned Healthy Oral Habits From Mom
      • March (2)
        • A Whiter Smile the Professional Way
        • Reality Star Kept His Eyes on the Prize: New Teeth!
      • February (2)
        • Paying Attention to Certain Factors Helps Ensure Successful Implant Outcomes
        • Kristin Cavallari and the Mystery of the Bathroom Sink
      • January (2)
        • Full Dentures: Frequently Asked Questions
        • Cosmetic Dentistry and the Urban Legend
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Five Facts about Bacteria
        • Actress Jennie Garth Shares Tips for Making Oral Health Fun!
        • Welcome to Our Blog

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