Year: 2014

What is Periodontal Disease?

What is Periodontal Disease?
The term “periodontal” means “around the tooth.” Periodontal disease (also commonly referred to as periodontitis and gum disease) is common inflammatory condition that affects the supporting and surrounding soft tissues of the tooth and eventually affecting the jawbone. …When the gums are chronically inflamed, these bacteria can gain entrance into your bloodstream and spread to other parts of your body. Gum disease increases the risk for heart disease, it is linked to pulmonary infections, gastric ulcer reinfections, increases the risk for pre-term and low birth weight in babies, diabetics it makes control of blood sugar more difficult.The progression of gum disease can be halted if the bacteria and debris are removed from these pockets.

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Clean Tongue, Fresh Breath

Clean Tongue, Fresh Breath
Many people are unaware of the correlation between not brushing the tongue and bad breath- also known as halitosis. Brushing or using a tongue cleaner is beneficial in reducing VSC’s or Volatile Sulfur Compounds on the tongue. In one study, it was found that for a majority of the patients, the cause of halitosis was found to be tongue coating. Since most of the bacteria in the mouth is harbored on the tongue, removal of that bacteria is key to help reduce bad breath.

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The Effect of Soy Milk on the Teeth

The Effect of Soy Milk on the Teeth
A new study shows that soy milk is more likely to cause cavities than cow’s milk. During the study they combined Streptococcus mutans, which is most commonly associated with cavities to soy and cows milk. Within 10 minutes of adding the bacteria to soy milk it became more 5-6 times more acidic, whereas the cows milk did not change significantly. While drinking soy occasionally is unlikely to impact the health of an individual’s teeth, the real concern in relation to higher acid output occurs when babies are allowed to sip from bottles containing soy milk throughout the day…

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Thumb Sucking

Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a natural instinct that some children rely on to feel secure or to help them fall asleep. Children normally stop the sucking habit by age four, but some children do not….If a child continues the sucking habit into the years when permanent teeth are in, there is a high likelihood of having problems with jaw growth and the way the teeth ultimately come together. The roof of the mouth can be affected as well. Most often in thumb suckers, there will be a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the back teeth are closed. ..

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Dental Emergencies

Dental Emergencies
Many dental problems when left untreated can progress to larger issues that require emergency treatment. A dental abscess can occur when a large area of decay gets to the pulp of the tooth or when periodontal conditions are ignored. These infections can spread…With digital x-rays and cavity scanners, we are able to find decay much earlier than ever before….Dr. Julie Pruneski is the dentist and owner of Whispering Pines Dental…

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Be Careful What You Drink

Be Careful What You Drink
There are several types of products being promoted to help achieve weight loss including juice cleanses, diet drinks, energy bars, sports drinks, and meal replacement shakes. Many people are unaware of the effects these have on your overall health as well as your oral health….Water is one of the most beneficial drinks for overall health….Dr. Julie Pruneski, Whispering Pines Dental in the Lorain/Amherst area…

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New Toothpaste Guidelines for Children

New Toothpaste Guidelines for Children
To help prevent the number of cavities in children, the American Dental Association, or ADA, has developed a new guideline for fluoride use. It is now recommended that a smear of fluoride toothpaste be used as soon as the first primary teeth erupt. This advice overturns the recommendation to start using a pea-sized amount at the age of 2…Parents need to monitor the amount of toothpaste and assist in brushing for children at least to the age of 6, but any additional help is always a great idea. They should not shy away from fluoride just because the label on the toothpaste may say to consult with a dentist …

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Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a debilitating sleep-related breathing disorder defined as the cessation of breathing for 10 seconds or more. During sleep, the muscles in your body relax, including those in your mouth and airway. This causes an obstruction and blocks airflow to the lungs, which in turn signals your body to wake up in order to start breathing again. These events can happen anywhere from a few times an hour up to 30 or more. It is easy to see how such events can interfere with a good night’s sleep, and also an individuals quality of life….If left untreated, OSA has been shown to be correlated with heart disease, strokes, and excessive daytime sleepiness….

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