Periodontitis Could Be a Sign of Diabetes

A new study published this month in the BJM Journal, under BJM Open Diabetes Research and Care shows possible links between periodontitis and type 2 diabetes.

Can you imagine how strange it would be for your dentist to tell you that you might have diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes)? A study published early this week makes a strong argument that gum disease may be a warning sign for type 2 diabetes. “According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines for diagnosis, there was a significant over-representation of subjects with suspected diabetes (23% and 14%) and pre-diabetes (47% and 46%) in the severe periodontitis group and mild/moderate periodontitis groups, respectively…” (1).

This is not the first study to show this, but instead confirms even further how important oral health really is. Taking care of your teeth and mouth helps prevent other life-changing diseases, and helps doctors identify early signs of other illnesses. The recent study found that 1 in 5 people that suffered from periodontitis unknowingly had type 2 diabetes.

Periodontitis is a gum infection that attacks the tissue of the gum and eats away at the bone that support your teeth. Symptoms of periodontitis include bloody, swollen, or tender gums, bad breath, and/or loose teeth. If gone untreated, periodontitis can lead to loss of teeth and an increased danger of stroke or heart attack. Periodontitis is easily prevented by brushing at least two times a day and flossing regularly. Your family dentists in Valencia can help put you on track to prevent periodontitis. We can also help identify yellow flags within your overall health.

Of course, there are plenty of other health concerns that can be identified by looking at your oral health. We’ve previously written about how your dental health can prevent heart diseases as well as Alzheimer’s.

So when should you ask your dentist about periodontitis? Make sure to schedule your regular cleanings and if your family dentist in Valencia sees any warning signs we will let you know.

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Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

Finding The Right Toothbrush

Most of us don’t give much thought to the seemingly simple utensil you use (at least) two times a day—the toothbrush. Whether you’re using an electric, rechargeable toothbrush or a simple, low-tech toothbrush, there many factors that contribute to a making the right choice for your teeth. 

Electric vs. Manual

The single most significant difference between toothbrushes is the difference between electric and manual. Electric toothbrushes offer unidirectional, rotational, and ultrasonic motions. These automated motions can help remove the plaque and gingivitis. Manual toothbrushes, however, are much more affordable. Come see your Valencia Dentist before purchasing an electric toothbrush, and we’ll make sure to recommend the right one for you. 

Size

The average length of a medium-sized toothbrush head is just under an inch. Toothbrushes for infants and children will vary in size. If you need a smaller head to help reach further crevices in your gums, a small head toothbrush might be better for you. The head of the toothbrush should be able to reach all areas and surfaces of your teeth and gums (including the back of those molars!).

Shape

Head Shape

The shape of the head itself is designed to help the brush comfortably navigate your mouth. A diamond shape may help reach the posterior teeth while the conventional rounded rectangle may work just fine for you. Additionally, brands offer a “polishing cup” shape, which includes a rounded bristle clump that helps focus brushing on one specific tooth.

Bristle Shape

The bristles on a brush come in a few varieties. These include block, wavy, multilevel, and crisscross. In many ways, a bristle is a bristle, so don’t let this detail tie up your decision-making process! Look for a toothbrush with a nice variety of bristles, as each is designed to reach between teeth where plaque and tartar build-up can occur. 

Handle Shape

While the shape of the handle doesn’t change the toothbrushes impact too much, it can have an impact on your comfort. Choosing a contra-angle or flexible handle may make your brush more comfortable to use. 

Hardness

You will have the option of soft, medium, or hard nylon bristles. This is the density of bristles on the toothbrush. If you are a heavy brusher, a soft brush may help prevent harm to your gums and enamel. For most, a soft brush is the safest and most efficient. 

Color

Of course the color of your toothbrush doesn’t have an impact on your dental hygiene, but brushing your teeth should be fun! For kids especially, make sure to pick up something colorful and fun to encourage happy and consistent brushing.

Final Thoughts

A comfortable toothbrush will make you more likely to keep brushing and will help you keep up with a complete dental hygiene routine. Along with picking the right toothbrush, making the right decision on toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash will enhance your twice-a-day routine. When picking out a new toothbrush, make sure to look for a toothbrush that has earned the Seal of Approval from the American Dental Association (ADA). If you’re still not sure which toothbrush is right for you, ask your family dentist in Valencia! We’re always happy to help.

Go Dental - Top Valencia Dentist

smile@thedentist.com

Wisdom Teeth: When It’s Time to Have them Removed

When you hear “wisdom teeth,” the next word queued up in your brain is likely “removal,” and for good reason! The wisdom teeth are the four, back-most molars in the mouth and, as you well know, oftentimes they need to be removed for oral hygiene’s sake. Today, we’re going to learn all about these later-in-life teeth and how to know when to visit your Valencia dentist to discuss having your wisdom teeth removed.

Why "Wisdom Teeth?"

Although there are some differing opinions as to why they’re called "wisdom teeth," there’s one universally accepted answer: Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to develop within the mouth and they tend to develop well into adulthood, after we’re (supposedly) wiser than ever! Unfortunately, the typical growth pattern of wisdom teeth doesn’t always seem so wise, and can lead to complications.

What Happens if I Ignore My Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth have a funny way of growing in crookedly. When these teeth bump up against your other molars, their growth pattern gets stunted and they become what’s known as “impacted.” As a result, wisdom teeth often partially erupt from the gums or don’t erupt at all—either one of these results can cause problems:

Partial Eruption - A partially erupted wisdom tooth is prone to developing a bacteria condition called perioncitis. This ailment is the inflammation of soft tissues surrounding the crown of the partially erupted tooth and can lead to extreme sensitivity and pain. These irritated tissues are prone to bacterial infection, which be dangerous to overall health.

Non-Eruption – Wisdom teeth that never erupt from the surface of the gums can promote the growth of cysts, which can cause significant damage to gum tissues and bones.

How Do I Know When to Talk to My Valencia Dentist?

• Pain – The first symptom is soreness or pain in the back of the jaw. Any pain in the mouth or jaw area should be addressed quickly by a Valencia dentist. If you’ve never had your wisdom teeth removed, you’re an adult, and you’re experiencing soreness, then chances are that wisdom teeth are the source.

• Sinus Issues – If you develop sudden sinus pain, pressure, or congestion, this may be the result of impacted wisdom teeth. See your dentist.

• Headaches – Consistent, dull pain in the jaw is known to cause headaches. If you’re feeling a combination of soreness near your molars and more frequent headaches, consult your dentist.

• Bad Breath – Strangely enough, wisdom teeth are partially erupted, the result can be bad breath. The pockets created in the gums by the wisdom teeth are excellent breeding grounds for bacteria, which cause bad breath.

If you have any questions, your Valencia dentist is just a phone call away! Always err on the side of caution and never ignore mouth pain. If you think your wisdom teeth need to be looked at, call us today! 

Go Dental - Top Dentist in Valencia

smile@thedentist.com

How Your Diet Choices Can Help Your Enamel

Enamel – it’s one of the four major tissues that makes up the tooth in humans and many other animals, and even some species of fish! Enamel is the normally visible part of the tooth, covering the crown.

Your enamel is one of the major parts of your teeth, the main protector against tooth decay.  Protecting your enamel is one of the most crucial steps to maintaining a healthy mouth.  Your diet is one of the ways that you can affect the health of your tooth enamel – for good or bad.

Some of the main foods that help restore, strengthen, and protect enamels are dairy products, foods containing Vitamin D, and foods with high amounts of protein.  The combination of these nutrients not only supports the health of your enamel, but that of the bones throughout your body as well.

However, there are many foods and drinks that can harm and decay your tooth enamel.  These include sour foods, acidic fruits such as citrus, and sugary drinks like soda.  That’s not to say that fruits should be removed from your diet – but try eating fruit with a meal containing other foods to help mitigate the damage to your teeth.

Regardless of the state of your enamel, there's always room for improvement, and Go Dental Valencia can provide an anxiety free visit to help you get started.  We provide trustworthy and gentle dentistry for our patients, and we can help you shape your diet to improve and maintain the health of your mouth – contact us today to find out how!

Go Dental - Top Dentist in Valencia

smile@thedentist.com

Gingivitis and You

Gingivitis is often talked about, but not many people know exactly what is going on when they are diagnosed with it. Well, your friendly Valencia dentist is here to help explain it to you.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva, A.K.A. your gums. Inflammation is most commonly caused by buildups of bacteria, more commonly called plaque. This bacterial buildup causes an immune response from your body, typically resulting in swelling. Gingivitis is also a mild, non-destructive form of periodontal disease.

However, if left untreated, gingivitis can become periodontitis, which can result in tooth loss.

If your teeth bleed when you brush them, or if your gums are red and puffy, you may want to get checked for gingivitis. Sometimes, you may have it without even realizing it, due to milder symptoms. Luckily, good oral hygiene is typically enough to help rid yourself of gingivitis, including brushing and flossing, and the use of antiseptic mouthwashes.

Some other common symptoms are swollen gums, tender or painful gums, bad breath, flexible or soft gums, and bleeding gums. If you have any combination of these symptoms, it may prove beneficial to meet with your friendly Valencia dentist as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that plaque buildup is not the only cause of gingivitis. Cancer, diabetes, and HIV are linked to higher risks of developing gingivitis. Smoking commonly causes gingivitis, as well as some medications. Finally, hormones can play a part in it, especially during puberty, menopause, or even pregnancy – they lead to more sensitive gums, increasing their risk of inflammation.

There are many treatments your friendly Valencia dentist can discuss with you, most of them can be done from your own home. If you have any questions or concerns, schedule your appointment today.

Go Dental - Top Dentist in Valencia
smile@thedentist.com

What Allergy Season Means For Your Mouth

It is spring yet again and we all know what that entails. This is the season where allergens are everywhere!  Though seasonal allergies tend to not be life threatening, unlike food and drug allergies, they can get rather annoying. So what do we tend to do when our seasonal allergies begin to affect our daily routine? We take antihistamines. Some of us real “sneezers” plagued by frequent allergy attacks may even take our Claritin or Zyrtec on a daily basis.

Because taking allergy medication is such a common practice, we tend to forget that those little white or pink pills are just that: a medication. Every medication has its side effects on the body and we need to take those into consideration. Sure some may have the common drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, and headaches, but one really common side effect that we tend to look over is a dry mouth.

Dry mouth, or Xerostomia, is very common with medications but usually is not taken seriously. The fact of the matter is that our mouths are full of bacteria. To be honest, they are the most bacteria-ridden places in our bodies. Besides washing away food, saliva helps to ward off some of these bacteria by neutralizing the acids the bacteria create in our mouths. When our mouths stop producing saliva, the bacteria has the opportunity to grow and cause more problems. This not only causes bad breath, it is also important because, as stated in our previous blog, your oral health can be a major influence on your heart health and overall health.

So how can we avoid it? Well unfortunately, you cannot avoid the dry mouth caused by your allergy medication unless you stop taking it and for some of us, that’s not an option. There are, however, some extra oral care practices you can take to make sure that the dry mouth you experience doesn’t cause you any other health issues. Just taking extra care of your mouth can save you from all the harmful symptoms of a dry mouth. Here are some quick tips to help guide you:

• brush more often
• drink lots of water
•  use mouth wash when you feel like your breath is starting to smell bad
• chew dentist recommended gum to encourage the production of saliva
• do not smoke

If you follow these practices, you will find that the dry mouth will not cause very many issues. Make sure you also read the information on the medicine bottle before taking anything. If you are unsure about whether or not you should be taking a specific medication or you have questions about it, you should contact your primary care physician. If you have any questions or the negative side effects of a dry mouth, you can always ask your favorite Valencia Dentist from Go Dental.

Flossing: To Do Or Not To Do

More often than not, we find that patients at our Valencia dental office aren't flossing like they are advised to, despite our best efforts to remind them of flossing’s importance. Because of this, we decided to sit down and ask ourselves, “What is it that turns people off about flossing?” and to come up with reasons why flossing is just as important as brushing.

Contrary to popular belief, flossing is a significant factor to not only your oral hygiene, but your overall health as well. Here is the mystery with flossing: there is a strange connection between flossing and heart health. We dentists don’t know why this connection exists; we just know that it does. When you floss, you are removing bacteria from under your gums that can cause problems to heart and immune health. We bet you didn't think flossing can actually keep you from getting sick, did you?

Often, patients also believe that if they brush their teeth twice a day and use mouth wash, they've done a sufficient amount of work to keep their mouths healthy. Sadly, this isn't true. While mouth wash and brushing your teeth are extremely important, they only clean the surface of your teeth. Flossing gets all the bacteria and tartar that’s stuck in-between your gums and your teeth.

Many patients refuse to floss their teeth because they claim it causes bleeding. There is a little bit of irony in that statement. The bleeding is actually caused by not flossing and is called gingivitis. When you don’t floss, your gums become week and in turn, are more likely to bleed. As you floss more and more, you gums’ health will improve and you will be less prone to the bleeding.

To make sure you floss right later tonight, here are some expert tips:

• Nylon or PTFE are the best types of floss to use
• Use 18 inches of floss per flossing
• For support, wrap one end of the floss around your right thumb and the other end around your left pointer finger
• Floss in a back-and-forth motion for best results
• Make sure to get in between your gums
• Visit your your Valencia dentist regularly