(217) 546-33335 Tips for Increasing Your Dental Health
September 16, 2013
Everyone wants to have a beautiful smile, but even more important is having healthy, problem-free teeth and gums. By following a few basic tips, you can maintain optimal dental health.
Keeping teeth clean is the most important step to maintaining dental health. Make sure to clean gums and entire oral cavity. Regular brushing and flossing are critical to keeping both teeth and gums clean and healthy. Brushing and flossing remove particles that can become trapped in between teeth. This can lead to plaque build up and gum disease. The standard recommendation is to brush and floss at least twice a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging teeth and gums, or follow your Dentist’s suggestions. Using too hard of a toothbrush can remove enamel from your teeth, leaving them unprotected and vulnerable to decay. Flossing will help eliminate small particles from in between the teeth and keep your gums strong.
Regular visit to your Dentist for cleaning and x-rays is recommended every six months. Regular dental exams can help prevent existing problems from becoming worse, and help identify any potential future problems. Preventative maintenance will not only help maintain a healthy smile, but it can also save you thousands of dollars down the road. Developing a regular routine will make visiting your dentist a positive experience.
Maintaining a healthy diet is also important to your oral health. Be sure to eat healthy foods and avoid too many sweets. Reducing the amount of sugary snacks will help prevent cavities and decay.
Fluoride is beneficial to the enamel on your teeth. If you do not have fluoride added to the water where you live, try an enhanced toothpaste to increase the strength of your teeth.
Cigarette smoking and other tobacco use can cause yellowing of the teeth, and diseases of gums. Avoiding smoking and chewing tobacco will not only benefit your lungs and health, but it will help to maintain your beautiful white smile
If it is time for a dental checkup for you and your family, make an appointment by calling Dr. VanderMolen and Advanced Dental Care today at (217) 546-3333. Click here for more information on the general dentistry services available at Advanced Dental Care.
Good Oral Health – Important to a Healthy Body
August 5, 2013
The Human body is a combination of healthy and functional organs and systems. The Oral cavity plays the role of an entry gate for the body. Everything we eat or drink goes right through the mouth and affects all other organs and systems. Maintenance of the oral environment is essential for overall health of an individual.
Good, meticulous oral hygiene is necessary for maintaining your overall health. Neglected oral hygiene can lead to many systemic diseases. Poor oral health has been linked to heart, lung and stomach diseases, diabetes, stroke and premature birth. You should consult your dentist for ways to improve your oral health and in-turn your overall health and well-being.
Preventive dentistry focuses on solving minor oral health problems before they become issues. This approach saves a lot of time and money but requires compliance on behalf of the patient. Your early visit to Dr. VanderMolen can prevent you from undergoing major treatment procedures in the future. For maintaining a good oral hygiene, we advise you to do the following regularly.
- Brush your teeth regularly 2-3 times a day
- Use a fluoride tooth paste
- Floss daily, or even better, after every meal
- Avoid intake of too much synthetic sugars
- Consume foods high in calcium and vitamins
- Eat a balanced healthy diet including Milk
- Avoid smoking and tobacco chewing
- Make regular appointments for routine oral check-ups
By exercising these suggestions, you can easily maintain good oral hygiene and prevent you and your family from a large number of oral as well as systemic diseases. Routine dental checkups can unveil many minor problems which can be treated easily in early stages and major diseases can be prevented. When you visit Dr. VanderMolen for a routine dental checkup, he will thoroughly examine and clean your mouth. Small dental problems will be taken care of for your overall well-being. Future preventive strategy can also discussed regarding your oral health.
If it is time for a dental checkup for you and your family, make an appointment by calling Dr. VanderMolen and Advanced Dental Care today at (217) 546-3333. Click here for more information on the general dentistry services available at Advanced Dental Care.
Bad Breath: Health Problems and Prevention
July 29, 2013
What are the health problems associated with bad breath and how can it be prevented?
Bad breath is an oral problem that often cannot be noticed by the patient himself. The patient comes to realize about his bad breath when his family members or friends comment about it. Bad breath can be due to many causes and it can also act as an indicator or symptom of other medical conditions. Regular dental checkups can help you avoid the associated oral health problems.
Some health problems associated with bad breath:
- Gum disease- Improper brushing leads inadequate elimination of food particles from between the teeth. These food particles allow the build-up of plaque on the tooth surface and the gum lining. Persistent neglect in maintenance of oral hygiene causes irritation of gums and subsequent inflammation. This can be perceived as bad breath and bad taste.
- Decayed teeth- Decayed teeth with cavities serve as a storehouse for food remnants and are not accessible by bristles of the toothbrush for removal. The food particles undergo putrefaction within the cavity and become the source of bad breath.
- Fungal infections- There are chances of fungal infection in the mouth if there is persistent bad breath.
- Dry mouth- also called xerostomia. Our saliva flushes out the dead cells in our mouth. If the saliva produced is decreased, the flushing action gets lowered. Hence, the dead cells undergo disintegration generating bad breath. Dry mouth is a sign for a number of health problems like salivary gland disorders. It can be found in people with habit of mouth-breathing and is a common side effect of certain medications.
- Respiratory tract infections– Individuals with infections like sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia or post-nasal drip often have bad breath.
- Metabolic disorders- There are few metabolic disorders like gastro esophageal reflux (GER) that cause bad breath due to regurgitation (reverse flow of acid within the stomach). Problems related to kidney and liver may also be the cause of foul odor.
Ways of prevention of bad breath
Bad breath should not be taken lightly as it is associated with so many health problems. For preventive measures or treatment of halitosis (bad breath), the underlying cause has to be determined. If any health problem is the causative factor, you should be referred to a general physician for the rest of the treatment plan. If it is related to your oral health, your dentist will be the best person to deal with it.
Whatever may the case be, you can follow some simple rules for good Oral Hygiene to keep bad breath at bay.
- Brushing – For good oral hygiene it is essential to brush your teeth twice daily, preferably with fluoridated toothpaste. Scrape your tongue with a scraper to remove all the food particles trapped on the surface of the tongue.
- Flossing- Floss daily to remove the food debris stuck in between the teeth and also areas that are inaccessible for the bristles of the toothbrush.
- Mouthwash- Use of chlorhexidine mouthwash can be of great help for those with bad breath as the antibacterial action washes off the bacteria and there is a feeling of freshness in your breath.
- Diet control- Paying attention to small details of your diet will help you in the long run. Avoid onion and garlic. Try chewing peppermint for fresh breath.
If you are upset with your bad breath, call (217) 546-3333for a free consultation with Dr. VanderMolen. His team at Advanced Dental Care will guide you to get the healthy mouth and gums you have been waiting for!