Sharing Spoons with Your Toddlers? Think Again

Parents beware! 

New studies have shown that sharing spoons during mealtime actually puts your toddlers’ oral health at risk. Recent studies have shown that tooth decay in children aged five to nine have grown nearly 14% since 2011.

While many mothers are not aware of how easy it is to transfer their oral bacteria, fewer know that even kissing their child on the lips can transfer some harmful bacteria. The tip to prevent this is to practice good oral hygiene on yourself, and impart a healthy tooth cleaning routine for your child.

However, there is a bright side: only parents who have active tooth decay and are carrying the Streptococcus mutans bacteria will be putting their children’s teeth at risk. If you are suffering from tooth decay, be sure to schedule an appointment with your friendly Valencia dentist today to get that cleared up. Not only for your health, but also your child’s.

If you are unsure how to teach your kids the healthiest brushing methods, be sure you ask your friendly Valencia dentist today. Not only can we teach you how to take care of yourself, but we can also teach you ways to ensure your child has a happy, healthy smile.

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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

Share a Bathroom? Your Toothbrush Could Contain Fecal Matter

Preliminary studies have shown that in a shared bathroom environment, up to 60% of toothbrushes are contaminated with fecal matter, and there is an 80% chance that it is not your own.

Researchers studied the toothbrushes of college students sharing a communal bathroom – 60% of the toothbrushes showed contamination from fecal matter, regardless of the storage and cleaning methods used.

Accidentally consuming someone else’s fecal matter, even in trace amounts, carries the risk of illness and infection, as fecal matter may contain viruses, parasites, and even bacteria that are not part of your body’s own native microbes.

Researchers suggest that people sharing restroom facilities practice better methods of storing their toothbrushes in order to prevent contamination. One effective method is to not keep your toothbrush in a shared bathroom.

But if that is not an option, here are a few ways to keep your toothbrush up to shape:

• Do not share your toothbrush with anyone.
• Replace your toothbrush at least once every four months.
• Do not use toothbrush covers – they actually lock in moisture and create an environment for bacteria to thrive.
• Store your toothbrush upright after use, and allow it to air dry.
• Rinse your toothbrush with tap water.
• Do not store your toothbrush in close proximity to anyone else’s to prevent cross-contamination.
• If you have any concerns about proper toothbrush storage, be sure to check with your friendly Valencia dentist today. They can give you a rundown of the dos and don’ts of keeping your toothbrush clean.

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

Dental Anxiety Leads to Major Oral Health Consequences

A vicious cycle exists in today’s adults: dental anxiety leads to adults dissatisfied with their appearance, and adults dissatisfied with their appearance typically have poorer dental care and more dental anxiety. However, researchers are finding an effective method to break that loop: cognitive behavioral therapy.

Therapy can help the anxious adults find ways to cope and battle their dental anxiety, allowing them to visit their friendly Valencia dentist, and improve their oral health. In turn, a healthier smile can contribute to a healthier self-image, and decrease dental anxiety, depression, and generalized anxiety.

In an odd finding, researchers have noticed that people suffering from severe dental anxiety have a higher occurrence rate of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The subjects polled claim that they have much lower oral health care, which may contribute to their dental anxiety.

Either way, your friendly Valencia dentist is here for you. If you feel anxious about any treatments, there are a multitude of ways to help you through it. Call us today at 661-257-0880, or visit us at our website to schedule a consultation.

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smile@thedentist.com

400,000-year-old Tartar Gives Us a Glimpse Into the Past

Tartar, caused by dental plaque going untreated and left to harden, is giving Tel Aviv University scientists a glimpse into past diets and pollutants, as they were able to analyze tartar-coated teeth discovered remarkably preserved in Qesem Cave near Tel Aviv.

Once plaque forms into tartar, it is unable to be removed except through the use of cleanings by your friendly Valencia dentist, or by using ultrasonic tools. Unfortunately, these tools were not available 400,000 years ago. However, scientists and researchers have used their to their advantage – they analyzed the tartar left on teeth discovered inside Qesem Cave, and were able to determine what kinds of food they ate back then, and also noticed traces of pollution.

In the tartar, scientists found traces of essential fatty acids, hinting at the ingestion of nuts and seeds. They also found traces of starch, which likely meant that they had some plants in their diet. But the largest portion of their diet was meat.

With such a large consumption of meat, these humans discovered ways to cook it. They created indoor barbecues, of sorts. However, with the use of charcoal inside, they also created something never before seen: airborne pollution. Scientists found traces of charcoal in their tartar, hinting that the smoke from the fire had been inhaled.

Scientists also found one other thing: small plant fibers, hinting at the use of small plants as toothpicks after their tasty barbecue.

Don’t want your teeth and dental tartar to be studied as a time capsule in 400,000 years? Be sure to stop by your friendly Valencia dentist today to get a cleaning.

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Dental Implants – Happier Lives?

Postmenopausal women suffering from osteoporosis are often at a much greater risk of losing their teeth. That tooth loss can contribute to the social, sexual, emotional, and career downturns of their lives, directly impacting their overall satisfaction.

However, in a new case study performed by Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, it is shown that dental implants can be attributed to the most satisfaction in postmenopausal women with tooth loss.

The 23-question study surveyed 237 women who have one or more adjacent missing teeth. The survey also polled their method of treatment for the tooth loss, ranging from dental implants, fixed partial dentures, removable denture, and no restoration work and then ranged their overall satisfaction in their career life, social life, sexual life, and emotional well-being.

Women with the highest reported sexual and emotional satisfaction happened to be the women who received dental implants, and the lowest reported satisfaction coming from women with no restoration work done.

If you are blossoming in the later years of your life and feel at risk of tooth loss, do not hesitate to talk to your friendly Valencia Dentist today. They can discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option, and can work with you to ensure a happier, healthier you.

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smile@thedentist.com