HealthyLife Articles

Tag: teeth

  • Dental Hygiene

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Dental hygiene products, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc.

    Taking care of your teeth and gums helps your teeth last a lifetime.

    Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Get a dental exam once or twice a year. If you have not seen a dentist in over a year, schedule a dental exam today.

    Dental problems affect more than your teeth and gums. Gum (periodontal) disease and other mouth infections may increase the risk for pneumonia, heart disease, and diabetes.

    Let your dentist know if you have tooth pain, red or swollen gums, bad breath that doesn’t go away or any other dental problem.

    Change toothbrushes at least every 3 to 4 months; sooner if the bristles are frayed.

    Rinse your toothbrush after each use to remove debris and leftover toothpaste. Store toothbrushes upright in a holder far enough apart that bristles don’t touch.

    Find out more from the American Dental Association atada.org.

    Health at Home Lifetime book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Safety Tips For Your Teeth

    Dental & Mouth Concerns

    Your teeth are vulnerable to nicks, chips, stains, and strains. To protect your teeth from damage and injury, take these precautions.

    *  Don’t chew ice, pens, or pencils.

    *  Don’t use your teeth to open paper clips or otherwise function as tools.

    *  If you smoke a pipe, don’t bite down on the stem.

    *  If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist if you should be fitted for a bite plate to prevent tooth grinding.

    *  If you play contact sports like football or hockey, wear a protective mouth guard.

    *  Always wear a seat belt when riding in a car.

    *  Avoid sucking on lemons or chewing aspirin or vitamin C tablets. The acid wears away tooth enamel.

    Image of man brushing teeth.
    A Year of Health Hints book by the American Institute for Preventive Medicine. www.HealthyLife.com. All rights reserved.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Open Wide

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of dentist.

    Your dentist and dental hygienist inspect your mouth for oral cancers when you show up for your regular dental cleanings. But between visits, take note of these early warning signs, and see your dental professional if they do not improve or disappear after 2 to 3 weeks:

    *  A sore, or soreness or irritation that doesn’t go away

    *  Red or white patches, or pain, tenderness, or numbness in your mouth or lips

    *  Lumps, thickening tissues, rough spots, crusty or eroded areas

    *  Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving your jaw or tongue

    *  A change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth

    Always call your dental professional right away if you have any immediate concerns. Those at high risk of developing oral cancer have traditionally been heavy alcohol drinkers and smokers over age 50. But today, cancer is occurring in younger, nonsmokers. The sexually transmitted HPV is related to some cancers in younger people.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • Teeth Grinding: Causes And Solutions

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of dentist with a patient.

    Teeth grinding is a movement disorder of the jaw in which there is gnashing, grinding, or clenching of the teeth. It’s called bruxism. Often, people are unaware of their habit.

    The two primary types of teeth grinding are sleep bruxism, which occurs during sleep, and awake bruxism, which occurs when the person is awake.

    There is not a single contributing factor that results in teeth grinding or bruxism, rather it is believed to be the result of complex interactions between many factors, including stress, tension and anxiety; levels of certain chemicals in the brain; other sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea; or a response to pain from earaches or teething (in children).

    “Teeth grinding is most often diagnosed by a combination of information derived from a history reported by the patient and a clinical exam performed by the patient’s dentist,” according to Dr. Erica Harvey, a representative of the Pennsylvania Dental Association.

    While some people noticeably grind their teeth, 80% make no sound, which makes bruxism even harder to discover. Common symptoms include reports of grinding noises during sleep by family members, tooth hypersensitivity, fractured, chipped or worn teeth, and waking up with a constant, dull headache or sore jaws.

    Regular dental checkups can help detect bruxism, and your dentist may recommend these methods to help stop or relieve the symptoms:

    *  Find ways to reduce your stress level and relax.

    *  Avoid or limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you consume.

    Ask your dentist about the use of a nightguard to prevent further wear of your teeth.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • When To Brush Your Teeth

    SELF-CARE CORNER

    Image of soda in a glass.

    Consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as sports and energy drinks, citrus fruits, wine, and tomatoes, can erode tooth enamel-the glossy outer layer of the tooth. Brushing your teeth too soon after eating and drinking these items can cause more damage because you are essentially brushing the acid into the teeth, not getting rid of it, say experts at the Academy of General Dentistry. Instead, you should rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods and beverages and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your pearly whites!

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine