A woman’s mouth can say a lot about osteoporosis   If you are a woman, your dentist may be the first health professional to suspect you have osteoporosis and refer you to a physician before the disease advances. Symptoms of tooth loss or gum (periodontal) disease could indicate early stages of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis weakens bones by reducing their density. Although the disease may strike any gender at any age, the vast majority of sufferers are women over age 50. Osteoporosis is difficult to detect, and most patients are not diagnosed until their bone density has decreased to the point that a fracture occurs. 

However, your dentist may detect the onset of the disease based on oral symptoms, your medical history and results of a clinical and x-ray examination. This is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly and to provide him or her with your complete medical history, even if you do not think it relates to oral health

An apple a day may keep the dentist away. Well, not really but it is part of good part of eating healthy, which is a good for preventive dental care.   Parents can help themselves as well as their children prevent tooth decay and cavities by monitoring their eating habits. Lead by example, offer children healthy snack alternatives such as apples, bite-size carrots or other foods that are naturally sweet, and instruct children to avoid candies, chocolate, and other foods that contain refined sugar.  If your children see you eating healthy they are more incline to eat healthy too.

How should you take care of your mouthguard tips

• Make sure to clean your mouthguard by washing it with soap and warm (not hot) water.
• Before storing, soak your mouthguard in mouthwash.
• Keep your mouthguard in a well-ventilated plastic storage box when not in use. Make sure the box has several holes so the mouth-guard will dry.
• Heat is bad for mouthguards, so do not leave it in direct sunlight or in a closed automobile.
• Do not bend your mouthguard when storing.
• Do not handle or wear someone else’s mouthguard.
• Call your dentist who made the mouthguard if there are any problems with your mouthguard  

One way preventive dental care is over looked, is by not wearing a mouthguard when need. A mouthguard can prevent serious injuries such as jaw fractures and neck injuries by helping to avoid situations where the lower jaw gets jammed into the upper jaw. Mouthguards are effective preventing laceration and bruising of the lips and cheeks, especially for those who wear orthodontic appliances.

Part of having good preventive dental care habits is cutting down on carbonated beverages, fruit juice and acidic foods can harm teeth. Acid in our food can cause enamel to wear away. When that happens your teeth are at a higher risk for tooth decay

Acid reflux, is caused when the esophageal sphincter, which separates the stomach from the esophagus, allows acid to seep out of the stomach. Often times this acid can cause heartburn, but not always. In the absence of heartburn symptoms, one of the first indication that a person may have acid reflux is by the erosion of the enamel on their molars or on the backside of their teeth.  

Since your stomach acid can eat away at the enamel on your teeth, your dentist may be the first one to notice the symptoms of acid reflux when he or she detects tooth enamel loss. If detected, your dentist may refer you to a specialist, who may prescribe treatment or recommend lifestyle changes specifically for the treatment of acid reflux, such as avoiding acidic foods.

As you age, you become more vulnerable to developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis and heart disease. According to current studies, symptoms of these diseases can manifest themselves in the mouth, making dentists key in diagnosing the diseases. In fact, your dentist may be the first health professional to notice a problem. In addition, it is important to visit your dentist regularly because some oral problems, for instance root decay, can only be detected in its early stages by x-ray examination.

Your dentist can diagnose and treat dental health problems before they become larger more serious dental issues. However they can only do that when you are making and keeping your regular dental appointments.    New research suggests that the health of your mouth mirrors the condition of your body as a whole.

Such as, when your mouth is healthy, chances are your overall health is good. On the other hand, if you have poor oral health, you may have other health problems. So, seeing a dentist regularly not only helps to keep your mouth in top shape, but also allows your dentist to watch for developments that may point to other health issues.

Flossing is very important part of your daily dental care habits not only for your teeth but for you gums. People do not always realize just how important it is to take care of their gums as well as their teeth. Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  

In addition, according to recent studies it has been shown that the health of your gums may have a connection to some chronic diseases. Having gum disease has been linked to and may be a risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and diabetes.

Experts are studying how inflammation in the mouth caused by gum disease may influence other areas of the body such as your brain, heart and pancreas. Although the exact connection between gum disease and some other chronic diseases is not known, this connection between medical and dental conditions highlights the importance of maintaining good oral health to achieve good overall health.

Regardless of age it is important to make sure you brush you teeth. Brushing your teeth helps to remove the thin film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth each day and contributes to tooth decay and gum disease.  It is suggested that your brush your teeth for at least two to three minutes with fluoridated toothpaste, if possible brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day.  

However has you do age you will want to pay special attention to your dental care habits. Although tooth decay can occur in any area of the tooth as you age decay is more likely to develop around old filling or the root of the tooth that can become exposed by receding gums. Therefore make sure to visit your dentist regularly so that he or she can keep an eye on these factors.

The leading cause of tooth loss in adults is not the aging process but gum disease. It is important to understand that gum disease can happen at any age.  However, with good oral health habits and a healthy lifestyle you help to keep your gums healthy and your teeth for a lifetime.   

Tooth decay is damage that occurs when germs (bacteria) in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth. Which can lead to a hole in the tooth, called a cavity. If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.  One of the best way to avoid tooth decay is by have proper at home dental care habits. Such as: brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and by using a mouthwash that kills the germs that cause bad breath and gingivitises  

Question: I do not like having to go to the dentist. There is an old saying that an apple a day helps to keep the doctor away, so is there anything that works on a dentist?   

Answer: Even if you eat an apple, you still will need to see a doctor if for no other reason the your annual check and exam. The same goes to seeing a dentist. It is important to see your dentist regularly for your dental check ups and basic cleaning’s.  If you if have very good at home oral habits (which is important in maintaining good dental and oral health) it does not void out seeing a dentist for your check ups. 

Cavities can still happen, by seeing your dentist he or she can spot a small cavity and fix it before it becomes a much larger cavity with larger dental care needs.  But that is not all a dentist does at your check up.  They look for signs of gum disease/gingivitis as well oral cancer.  Seeing a dentist is an important part of having and maintaining  good oral health.

Question: I have to have four teeth pulled before I can have braces, not because they are bad or anything.  I never had my teeth pulled out or really any other type of major dental treatment does it hurt?  

Answer: Pain depends on the person.  However if you are not going to be under anesthesia during the dental process of having your teeth pulled. Then the dentist will normally numb out your mouth enough so that you are not feeling any pain. If you do feel any pain you only need to let the dentist know this so that he or she can numb out that area some more.   You  may have some pain after the process is done.  This is normal and the dentist may prescribe you something for the pain if necessary or you can normally take an over the counter product such as Avil or Alive.

When brushing your teeth you will want to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste helps to prevent tooth decay. Ask your dentist if you need a mouthwash that contains fluoride or one with ingredients that fight plaque. Also look for toothpastes that have been approved by the American Dental Association

Why is have good dental hygiene habits so important? We talked about having good oral hygiene habits throughout many post. However what are the benefits of having good oral hygiene habits.    

The Benefits of Good Oral Hygiene:   

1) By taking care of your teeth and gums it helps to prevents tooth decay.  

2) Good at home dental habits helps to prevents gum disease which can damage gum tissue and the bone that support teeth which can lead to the loss of teeth.   

3) Good at home dental habits, helps to shorten your time at the dentist, and makes going to the dentist more pleasant.  

4) What to save money? By having good dental habits, it helps to save you money too. By preventing tooth decay and gum disease, you can reduce the need for fillings and other costly dental procedures.   

5) You do not want to have bad breath. By brushing and flossing it helps to rid your mouth of the bacteria that cause bad breath.   

6) You like having white teeth.  Good dental habits helps keep teeth white by preventing staining from food, drinks, and tobacco.  

7) Teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and by having good at home dental habits you help to make sure you have not only pretty smile but one that last.   

8) Lastly do not forgot that having good at home dental hygiene habits does not negate having to see a dentist regularly.  Make sure to make and keep your dental check ups.

Research confirms that having good oral health is integral part of having good general health.  Studies has found that this link is even more important for any person living with diabetes.  

That is why making sure you practice good basic dental care habits is important. Basic dental care involves brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, seeing your dentist and for regular checkups and cleanings, and eating a mouth-healthy diet, which means foods high in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.

No matter how great your dental habits are at home you still need to go to the dentist for regular dental check ups. It is key to have someone who knows teeth keep tabs on yours. See your dentist on regular basis, so they can look for signs of disease.  And remember  often you will need to go will depend in part on how well you care for your teeth. Most people have to visit only twice a year.

Many people thing mouth rinse and mouthwash are the same, but that would be wrong.   

Mouthwash: Mouthwash is used to help freshen your breath. 

Mouth Rinse: An antiseptic mouth rinse, however, will actually help to reduce the bacterial load found in plaque.  By using mouth rinse it will help prevents plaque build-up more than just brushing and flossing alone.

If you are only brushing your teeth you are only doing half the job. Cleaning between your teeth every day can have a crucial impact on your oral health, that is why it is important to make sure and floss daily.   If you have a tough time reaching certain parts of your mouth to floss, ask your dentist about interdental brushes, floss aides, or water or air-flossing devices.