Category: Oral Health
-
Eating Disorders and Oral Health
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, can have devastating effects on your health, including your teeth. Anorexia is marked by an extreme restriction on how much is eaten, while bulimia is associated with binging and purging, or vomiting after eating. The effects on teeth and oral hygiene are: Caused by stomach acid in…
-
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when the salivary glands can’t produce enough saliva to maintain a healthy oral environment. Symptoms of Dry Mouth Saliva helps us swallow, speak, taste, and digest. If you have a dry mouth, you can experience symptoms such as: A dry mouth and tongue A tingling or burning sensation in the…
-
Diabetes and Oral Health
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is important for diabetics, as they have an increased risk of developing oral infection and periodontal disease. Diabetes is a health condition that makes it difficult to manage blood sugar levels, and as a result, can lead to high levels of sugar in the blood and saliva. Extreme blood sugar levels…
-
Dental Exams and Professional Cleanings
Brushing and flossing at home to keep up your oral health is great, but it’s also important to visit the dentist for checkups and professional cleanings at least twice a year. These checkups allow your dentist to identify any problems in your mouth that you cannot see just by looking in the mirror, giving your…
-
Blood Pressure Medications and Your Oral Health
If you experience high blood pressure, it’s vital that you discuss possible medications with your health care professionals, including your dentist. Some blood pressure medications cause the usual variety of side effects, such as drowsiness, upset stomach, or minor aches. But for some patients, particular blood pressure medications may produce oral health side effects. This…
-
Bad Breath
What is Halitosis? Halitosis, also known as chronic bad breath, is often the result of improper care of your oral health. When you eat, food particles gather throughout your mouth, sticking to the surfaces of your tongue, in between your teeth, and on your gum tissue. Your oral bacteria break down these substances and release…
-
Antibiotic Premedication
Our bodies are home to bacteria which are common in our mouths, but which can be dangerous elsewhere. For some people, especially those who have chronic medical conditions, specific cardiac conditions, or whose immune systems are compromised, bacteria that spreads throughout the bloodstream and into the heart can lead to a serious bacterial infection called…
-
Aging and Oral Health
It’s important to take good care of your teeth as you age. Elderly patients often need more frequent visits to stay healthy, as they are at a higher risk of oral complications, including extraction, tooth decay, and periodontal (gum) disease. Electric Toothbrush One of the best things you can do for your oral health, especially…