Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Lend Baby Teeth a Hand

Posted on: January 17th, 2012 by Nicholas Geller, DDS No Comments

Here today…gone too soon. Don’t neglect baby teeth because the health of their replacements is right beneath the surface.

Caring for your child’s baby teeth lays a foundation for a lifetime of oral health, so teach good dental hygiene habits while the child is very young. Before the first teeth begin to surface, rub baby’s gums with a clean, damp wash cloth after every feeding. Continue as the teeth emerge until baby is old enough to hold a toothbrush.

Teach your children how to brush, and encourage them as they do. Teach them when to brush, after every meal and snack.

Break the thumb-sucking habit before the child’s fifth birthday, if possible.

Encourage a taste for healthful snacks and meals. Buy only sugar-free gum, shun soft drinks, and have children wear mouth guards for sports.

An orthodontic consultation should begin by age 5, while children still have some of their baby teeth. Building the dental framework early helps to prevent crowded and twisted teeth. With early orthodontic intervention, braces can come off sooner.
If your family is drinking unfluoridated water, consider using a fluoride supplement or a fluoride treatment here in our office.

Bring the kids in for dental exams before their first birthday.

Periodontal disease tends to be a family problem for two reasons: 1. Children can inherit a tendency toward it from one or both parents, and 2. It can spread through long-term intimate contact. An infectious disease that can spread inflammation through the body, periodontal disease can lead to heart disease and stroke.

Dental Hygiene and Your Health

Posted on: December 27th, 2011 by Nicholas Geller, DDS No Comments

Proper dental hygiene means healthier teeth and happier smile. However, it does not just mean healthier teeth, healthier teeth means better overall health. Dental hygiene affects your health in many ways. Let’s take a look at some specifics:

1. If you practice good dental hygiene you are less likely to suffer from the pain of tooth decay. While you may be thinking that pain from tooth decay only effects your mouth, you are wrong. Pain can cause stress in the body, which leads to a whole host of problems. So, avoid these stress related problems with proper brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.

2. If you do not practice good dental hygiene there is a high likelihood that the bacteria in your mouth have gotten out of control. When your mouth is overridden with bacteria, the bacteria will get into your blood stream, and can cause plaque of a different kind. This is the plaque of your arteries that lead to heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. So, who would have thought that an unhealthy mouth could lead to something life threatening?

3. Pregnant women often neglect their teeth, and this is not a good idea. When you are pregnant, your oral health is super important. Premature birth has been shown to be related to gum disease.

So, if you are pregnant, and you do not want to have your baby early, one way to help prevent it is to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings, and be smart with your mouth. Your dental hygiene when pregnant can help you to have a healthier happier baby.

4. Think about your mouth, what do you use it for? If your mouth is unhealthy, and your teeth are poor, or are falling out, you may find it difficult to consume foods that will lead to a healthier body. So, practice good dental hygiene and you will be able to eat the foods you like longer.
As you can see good dental hygiene really does effect your overall health. Without a healthy mouth, it is hard to have a healthy body. Infections spread, your mouth is not independent of the rest of your body, so be smart, and take care of your teeth.

Dental Hygiene Tips & Tricks

The following are some tips for good dental hygiene:

1. The obvious: brush your teeth at least twice daily. This should be done with a toothbrush that is the right size for your mouth. Your dentist can help you find the proper toothbrush. You should also use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Hard bristles can cause gum damage. You should focus on the gumline when you brush. Brush in short, circular motions, and brush away from the gums.

You should also brush for a minimum of two minutes, one minute on top and one minute on bottom. Brushing for the right amount of time with the right brush, and with the right motions, can really help your mouth stay healthy and happy.

2. Floss more. We all slack at flossing sometimes, and for good dental health you should floss each day. If you are currently flossing only a day or two a week step it up. If you are not flossing at all, shame on you.

3. Use mouth wash if you want an extra boost.

4. Visit your dentist regularly, semi annually is best, get a check-up exam, and a professional cleaning.

Source: Zimbio