The Defenders And The Attackers Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. It’s like the castle walls, protecting the softer dentin and pulp inside each tooth. Unfortunately, it is porous and vulnerable to erosion by acids. When the enamel loses minerals to acid exposure (a process called demineralization), it weakens the teeth and leaves them more susceptible to decay. However, we can fortify that enamel by getting enough minerals and nutrients, remineralizing our teeth. This is the battle our mouths are fighting every day: demineralization versus remineralization. The invaders in this battle are bacteria. They feed on sugar and carbs left in our mouths after a meal, and they excrete enamel-eroding acid onto our teeth. Luckily, we have a natural defense against the bacteria, and that’s our saliva. If enamel is like castle walls, then saliva is like the moat. A lot of harmful bacteria falls into this moat and gets washed away instead of being able to attack the castle walls. To learn more about what harmful bacteria can do, check out this video: Which Side Will You Fight On? While our enamel and saliva are built-in defenses, there is a lot we can actively do to make sure the good guys are winning the battle in our mouths. When we practice mouth-healthy habits, we’re fighting on the right side, but when we neglect them, we’re fighting on the side of the bacteria. One thing you can do to fight back against harmful bacteria is cut back on junk food. Sugar-filled treats and drinks and other processed foods supercharge the bacteria that lead to tooth decay, but foods like apples, cheese, eggs, carrots, celery, fish, and dark leafy greens promote remineralization of your enamel. Choose your snacks with your teeth in mind! You can also prevent demineralization by brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride remineralizes your enamel too, and it also reduces bacteria’s ability to produce acid. Never Give Up! Never Surrender! You are the most important part of the battle for your teeth, so make sure to do everything you can so that your teeth can win the fight. Your reward will be a healthy smile for life. Keep up the good work brushing, flossing, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, and don’t forget that you can always schedule a dental appointment to give your teeth’s defenses a boost! We’re grateful for our awesome patients! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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Vestigial Third Molars The prevailing theory about why we have a third set of molars is that our ancient ancestors needed them to effectively grind up the foods they ate. Unlike a modern diet of softer cooked and processed foods, theirs consisted of roots, fibrous plants, and raw meat, so they actually needed their wisdom teeth. Some theorize that it is our diets more than our genes that determine whether or not we have room in our jaws for all thirty-two teeth. Eating a prehistoric diet during the developmental years might stimulate enough growth to accommodate them, while a modern diet does not (but we don’t recommend testing this theory). Why Wisdom Teeth Are Removed A small (but growing) percentage of people never get wisdom teeth at all, or have fewer than four, but for most, they show up between ages 17 and 21. With enough room, they can come in with no trouble, but many people experience problems that necessitate extraction. The main reasons for wisdom tooth extraction are impaction (meaning they are trapped beneath the gums, where they can form cysts and damage nearby teeth and bone) and insufficient room in the jaw, which causes damage, crowding, and pain. Some dental work may require wisdom teeth removal as well. If your wisdom teeth come in correctly and you are able to clean them properly, you might not need to have them removed, so enjoy your extra chewing power! Tips To Remember Before You Get Yours Removed If your wisdom teeth do need to be removed, be sure to rest up before the big day so that you’ll be able to heal as quickly as possible. Afterward, stay well hydrated and avoid alcoholic, caffeinated, and hot beverages for the first day or two, because these can all cause problems with the extraction sites. However, you can enjoy as many soft foods like ice cream, yogurt, and applesauce as you want! After a couple of days, you can add in soups, but wait a week or two before you go back to hard or chewy foods. We’ll Take Care Of Your Smile No two cases of wisdom teeth removal are exactly the same, which is why we approach them on a case-by-case basis. We watch their progress as they come in to determine whether extraction will be necessary. Some discomfort is normal for any teeth coming in, but if you’re experiencing what seems like an unusual amount of pain from your wisdom teeth, come see us right away. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Our Favorite Stories About Our Moms Dr. Bush: "Mom's know better. I remember when I fell in love and my mom did not like my boyfriend much. She tried to talk to me but I did not listen. After two years of tears and sadness, I realized that she was right. My mom has always been so helpful. When I had my two daughters, she was such a great guide and company during those times of inexperience and sleep deprivation." Joanne: "Losing my mom was one of the hardest things I have been through so far in my life. Not a day goes by without thinking about her and how much I miss her. She was my best friend. My memories of her are so vivid, both happy and sad. I love you mom!" Kala: "I remember my mom always being so strong, supportive, loving, and compassionate. She always has been a strong support system for me. We talk every single day. I truly do not know what I would do without her." Sacha: "I can remember watching my mom in the mirror as a little girl as she put on her make up. I would admire her beauty and grace. I remember hoping that one day I would grow up to be as confident, graceful, and beautiful as she was. To this day, I still look at my mom with my five year old eyes... she still stands as beautiful, confident, and graceful as ever. My dearest mother, thank you for being my mom and best friend." Sarah: "Many do not realize Dr. Bush's ambition. She is driven in all aspects of her life: work, home, and fun. My mom always strives to be the best so she does not hold back in any sort of competition. I remember as a little girl that we would race to the car in the parking lot. As any mother of a four year old, a mother would allow her child to win, but Dr. Bush is not any other mother. She would bolt to the car twenty paces ahead of me with her tongue sticking out her mouth. Once she would reach the car, she would bounce up and down as if she won the Olympic 500 meter! However, her ferocity in everything she does has taught me to always give my 110%." Favorite Stories From The Moms On Our Team Dr. Bush: "Having my girls has been the most amazing experience from the moment I got to hold them in my arms for the first time. Through taking them to kindergarten, elementary school, high school, recitals, gymnastics meets, proms, and graduation, I have become a proud mother of two wonderful, smart girls. I would do it again in a heart beat." Joanne: "Being a mom is hard work, that is for sure! I love being a mom to my two children. They make me very proud. This year my son is in Africa so I will not get to see him, but I will be spending my mothers day with my lovely daughter at the pool. I feel very lucky to have such amazing children. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and all the dads that are moms too!" Kala: "I always say that being a mom is my greatest gift. Of course, some days are harder than others but my kids are my light. They always make me proud. I love them more than anything." Sacha: "My favorite part of being a mom is watching them grow. Their accomplishments become your accomplishments. The sense of completeness that each one brings me on their own different way. blessed to have all three of my kiddos." What Are Your Stories? You’ve heard some of our favorite mom-related stories now, and we’d love to hear yours! What’s your favorite memory of your mom, and if you are a mom yourself, what’s your favorite memory of being a mom? We hope all the moms out there are having a wonderful day! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
How Weight Loss And Oral Health Correlate One way our oral health correlates to what we eat and our weight has to do with our blood glucose levels. Sugar (glucose) is the favorite food of the bacteria in our mouths, and when we eat, our blood glucose goes up, particularly when we aren’t eating healthy foods. Maintaining a healthy weight also reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which makes blood sugar even more difficult to regulate and puts oral health at risk. Inflammation in the body due to being overweight can also be harmful. It can make people’s bones lose density and they can even lose teeth because of gum disease! Maintaining a healthy diet and weight is important because our teeth and gums need the proper nutrients and vitamins from the foods we eat to be strong and work properly! Crash Dieting Versus Oral Health While we recommend healthy diets and lifestyles for oral health, crash dieting can do more harm than good. People want to see results fast and don’t always know the best ways to do it, so they turn to things like the internet or friends’ experiences to learn of the latest diets they can try. One example of a harmful crash diet is the grapefruit diet, which is bad for oral health because it can erode the enamel on our teeth due to high acid levels. Another “easy” solution that causes problems is weight loss pills, which can lead to teeth grinding. The Right Diets For Your Teeth And Your Health When dieting is done right, it isn’t a problem for the teeth. Diets that encourage eating more whole foods and reducing added sugars will properly nourish your body and help oral health rather than hinder it. Vegetables, fruits, proteins, and healthy fats are all crucial to having good oral health! Eating a large amount of vegetables can help aid in healthy gums and oral tissues. Drinking whole milk will also help to provide our teeth with the calcium they need! Continue Building Healthy Habits! Eating and providing our bodies with the proper nutrients improves our lives in many ways, not just by improving our oral health. Conversely, maintaining a healthy weight through a nutritious diet isn’t the only way to keep your mouth healthy, so don’t forget about those other oral health habits! Keep up the good work in living your healthiest lives! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Oral Cancer Risk Factors There are several risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing oral cancer. Some of them are out of our control, such as age and sex. Men are twice as likely as women to develop oral cancer, and it is far more common in people over 45. But there are plenty of risk factors that we can control, the biggest of which is tobacco. A whopping 85 percent of oral cancer cases are linked to some kind of tobacco use (even e-cigarettes). The next biggest avoidable risk factor is frequent, heavy alcohol consumption. A few of the less-obvious risk factors include getting too much sun (which can cause lip cancer), HPV, and neglecting your oral hygiene, particularly if you also smoke. You can eliminate this risk factor by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular dental appointments! Symptoms To Watch Out For Unfortunately, even people with none of these risk factors will sometimes develop oral cancer anyway, which is why it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms, which include:
Where Does The Dentist Fit In? Another way oral cancer is caught early is at regular dental exams! In addition to checking your teeth for cavities and your gums for signs of gum disease, we can spot many of those early symptoms of oral cancer while we’re looking at your mouth, which is just one more reason why it’s so important to keep scheduling your dental appointments! Even if you don’t have oral cancer or any of the risk factors, you can still help the people who are fighting this disease. Ask us how you can get involved! We look forward to seeing you soon! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Malnutrition And Overall Health Eating disorders are a group of psychological disorders that can have a devastating impact on the mental, physical, and emotional health of those who suffer from them. No system in the body is spared, and that includes oral health. That’s why we want to educate our patients on the dangers of eating disorders and encourage anyone suffering from one to seek help returning to healthy eating habits. Anorexia: Starving The Oral Tissues Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extremely restricted food intake, and may also involve purging and compulsive exercising. The main risk to oral health with anorexia is malnutrition. Insufficient nutrients can result in osteoporosis, which weakens the jaw bones, leading to tooth loss. The gums may also bleed easily, and the salivary glands may swell up and produce insufficient saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Bulimia: Stomach Acid Versus Teeth Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by periods of overeating (binging) followed by forced elimination of food through vomiting or laxatives (purging). Frequent vomiting exposes the teeth to stomach acid on a regular basis, which erodes the protective layer of enamel and can lead to discoloration, decay, and even tooth loss. Watch this video to see bulimia’s effects on teeth, as well as how dentist’s can help: Preventing Additional Damage Maintaining a good dental hygiene regimen is an important part of keeping teeth and oral tissues healthy in any circumstance, but particularly while recovering from an eating disorder. One important caution to take if your teeth have been exposed to acid (whether from acidic food and drink or from regurgitated stomach acid) is to wait thirty minutes to brush. Immediately after acid exposure, tooth enamel is weaker and can be scrubbed away by brushing, so it’s better to rinse with water and wait to brush. The Road To Recovery Eating disorders are very serious, and recovery is about getting the right help — from supportive friends and family as well as licensed psychologists. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, a good first step on the road to recovery would be contacting the National Eating Disorders Helpline. The dentist also plays a role in minimizing and repairing the damage from malnutrition and acid erosion, so make sure to schedule an appointment. Your overall health and wellness are important to us! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
You Probably Didn’t Know… These are seven of our favorite pieces of dental trivia! How many of them did you already know? If you know any cool dental facts we didn’t include in our list, feel free to share them in the comments!
For a few more weird dental facts, check out this video: Let’s Take Care Of Those Teeth! There are plenty of weird and fascinating things we can learn about teeth, but if you ever notice anything about your own teeth that strikes you as unusual, come see us. It’s always better to make sure nothing out of the ordinary is going on, and your teeth will thank you for doing so earlier rather than later. Remember to keep brushing and flossing! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
A Brief History Of The Toothbrush The first toothbrushes that resemble modern ones were invented in China in the late 1500s, and they consisted of pig bristles attached to a bone or bamboo handle. Before long, the design caught on in Europe, with horse hair sometimes replacing pig. Can you imagine cleaning your teeth with animal hair? It doesn’t sound very fun to us, but there weren’t any other options back then, and it beats chewing on frayed sticks. Over the centuries, the design gradually became more like the toothbrushes we’re familiar with. Toothbrushes were first mass-produced in 1780, in England. The first toothbrush with nylon bristles was made in 1938. Sixteen years later, Philippe Guy-Wood developed the first electric toothbrush in Switzerland. Even with the long history of toothbrushes and all the advances in the design, oral hygiene didn’t become a priority in the culture until soldiers brought their strict hygiene regimens home with them from World War II. Just one more reason to be grateful for our troops! How Your Toothbrush Is Made Nylon bristles and plastic handles were the last major change in what toothbrushes are made of, but how are they actually made? There are a few different steps. First, the handles are molded from plastic pellets. Then a machine positions and attaches the bristles. Next, another machine trims the bristles to the right length. Finally, the finished toothbrushes are packaged and shipped. To see the manufacturing process in action, check out this video: The most important step before a toothbrush makes it to the cup beside your sink is quality control. The American Dental Association tests new toothbrush designs on comfort and efficiency. Toothbrushes that meet their standards are given the ADA Seal of Acceptance, so make sure any toothbrush you purchase has it! You And Your Toothbrush A toothbrush earning the ADA Seal of Acceptance isn’t the end of the story. From there, it’s up to you. Remember to brush your teeth for two full minutes twice a day, store your toothbrush upright in a dry place preferably far from the toilet after you use it, and don’t forget to replace it every few months! A frayed, worn out toothbrush can’t do the job of preventing tooth decay and gum disease as effectively as a toothbrush in good condition. Need A Recommendation? We know there are many toothbrushes out there to choose from, and there is no one toothbrush that’s perfect for everyone. Children need different brushes than adults, people with braces need different toothbrushes than people without, people with sensitive teeth need toothbrushes with extra soft bristles, etc. So if you’re having trouble finding the best one for you, just ask us at your next dental appointment! We can help you find the brush that’s right for you! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
TMJ And Sjögren’s Syndrome Women account for 90 percent of people suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) syndrome, or chronic pain or soreness in the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. The most obvious cause is bruxism (teeth grinding), but it can also be the result of stress, joint structure, vitamin deficiency, medical conditions like arthritis, and even hormones. Another condition women are far more prone to than men is Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks salivary glands and tear ducts (resulting in dry mouth and dry eye) before moving on to other tissues and organs. Dry mouth, aside from making chewing and swallowing difficult, is very dangerous to oral health, because saliva washes away food particles, fights bacteria, and neutralizes the mouth’s pH. With both syndromes, regular dental visits are crucial so that you can get a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that will keep your mouth healthy. Puberty, Pregnancy, And Menopause Hormones play a large role in women’s dental health, particularly when they are going through significant changes, such as during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Gingivitis and inflamed gums are common during puberty and pregnancy, which is why it’s especially important to maintain good oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing under these conditions. Dry mouth is a common problem for women going through menopause, and bone loss is another. When bone loss occurs in the jaw, it can compromise the gums and the roots of the teeth. It’s very important for menopausal women to discuss these potential effects with their dentists, ideally before any negative symptoms appear! Eating Disorders And Teeth More than twice as many teenage girls suffer from eating disorders than teenage boys, and that ratio persists in different age groups. Eating disorders are life-threatening. They have negative effects on every system in the body, and the mouth is no exception. Malnutrition, particularly a deficiency in vitamins and minerals essential to keeping teeth and gums healthy, can lead to a variety of oral health problems, but eating disorders can do more direct harm as well. Bulimia in particular can lead to tooth erosion from frequent exposure to stomach acid during purges. Anyone suffering from an eating disorder should seek psychiatric help to recover mentally, but it will take rigorous dental hygiene and help from dental professionals to maintain or restore good oral health. You And Your Dentist Make A Great Team! By this point, you might think women got the short end of the stick all around when it comes to oral health, but one major advantage women have is their tendency to take better care of their teeth. Women are more likely to brush twice a day, floss daily, and keep up with their regular dental appointments than men. They’re also much less likely to try toughing it out whenever they experience tooth pain or other symptoms. These healthy habits combine to greatly reduce the impact of all the above conditions, so keep up the good work! Let’s keep those mouths healthy, ladies! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Our Team’s Favorite Christmas Gift-Giving Memories Carolyn: "I once made a special Christmas ornament for a friend in New Jersey and sent it to her in the mail. This was in 2012. I saw her last month and she told me she still has it and hangs it on her tree every year! It took me about an hour to make, but it will last a lifetime." Kala: "Every year creates such special memories for my family and I. I enjoy giving gifts to my family and seeing their reactions. I have been told that I am a good gift giver so shopping for gifts brings me joy and most of the time I cannot wait for the recipient to open their gifts. I love the holidays because they create so many special and memorable moments." Sarah: "After a long day under the blazing sun, my adventure throughout the multiple worlds of Universal Studios had come to a close. I had an unforgettable time; thus, I wanted memorabilia for the day. I walked through the elaborate gift shop and nothing seemed appealing until I saw it. It was a golden time turner key chain, a replica of the one described in the world renowned novels of J.K Rowling. It would be for J.K Rowling’s number one fan–Bijuri Patel. I could not think of a better gift than one of bringing utter joy to Bijuri. As she removed the tissue paper to reveal the time turner, she practically hit the ceiling as she began to leap like a frog. The joy practically burst out of her as her metallic shrill pierced my ears. She embraced me tightly just to resume bouncing off the walls. Throughout the day I would see her walking and she would let out a small shrill. Fellow peers informed me that she would stand up in the front of the class to report that “the nicest person in the world” had bought her a gift from her most desired destination. To this day Bijuri thanks me for her gift, but it is really I who should be thanking her for giving me more than I already have." Joanne: "One year at White Elephant gift exchange, one of the participants (who was known as being quite serious) brought a "Farting Animals" coloring book. It was hilarious, unexpected, and a hit. Each person was to take a page home and color it. What a great time!" Sacha: "A few years ago, my brother and I chipped in and purchased a birthstone ring for our mom. It has the birthstones of my brother and myself along with her six grandchildren. I wrapped it in a giant box with a bunch of little boxes inside. Each box had something in from chocolates to floss until she reached the smallest box all the way at the bottom! This had built up the anticipation so when she saw her ring, she cried. It was very emotional." Dr. Bush: "My best memory was when we bought a trampoline for my daughters. We sent them our with their older sister to get them out of the house to be able to assemble the trampoline. In the meantime, their sister's boyfriend and my husband put the trampoline together in the backyard. That night we had a Christmas party and told all our guests not to go to the backyard nor open the curtains. That night, when the girls were already sleeping, we went on the trampoline and enjoyed it for ourselves. We were surprised we did not awake the girls from our wails of laughter! When the girls woke up the next morning, Sarah turned around and could see the trampoline within the crack of the curtains. She ran outside to encounter the trampoline. It was extremely satisfying moment seeing their surprised faces and enjoying the trampoline. They jumped for hours!" Looking For Fun Gift Exchange Ideas? If you’re looking for a new gift-giving tradition to try out, take a look at a few of the ideas here. We’ve shared two of the ones we thought were unique!
If you’re trying to think of ways to teach your children the joys of giving gifts, check out this short video: What Are Your Favorite Gift-Giving Memories? We’d love to hear some of our patients’ best gift-giving stories, so share yours with us in the comments below or on Facebook. Whether they’re sweet or funny, we can’t wait to read your stories! We hope you make wonderful new gift-giving memories this holiday season! Thank you for always being our valued patients and friends! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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