Author Archives: gxdentist

Your Dentist Can Find the Cause of Your Sleep Apnoea

teeth health smile dentistIf you feel sleepy during the day and wake up with teeth indentations on your tongue, you may have obstructive sleep apnoea. This is a serious condition in which breathing pauses hundreds of times during the night – putting you at risk for heart disease and diabetes.

A number of structural abnormalities can cause this serious sleep disorder. Large tonsils and an over-sized tongue are among the most common causes. The latter is easy to spot if you’re left with teeth marks in the morning.

– Your dentist may be able to help you find the source of sleep apnoea more effectively than your GP.

– The most common causes of obstructive sleep apnea are obesity and structural problems with the tonsils and tongue.

– If your dentist determines you are at risk for sleep apnoea, it’s important to follow up with a specialist.

“Dentists see into their patient’s mouths more than physicians do and the signs are easy to identify.”

Read more here:

Trouble sleeping? The size of your tongue and tonsils could be why

The Relationship Between Oral Hygiene and Dementia

 teeth health smile dentistA growing number of individuals are being diagnosed with late-onset dementia and recent studies have pointed to a possible correlation between oral health and this condition. Cavity-free teeth and an attractive smile may avoid much more than trips to the dentist.

It has been shown that a healthy mouth and gums are associated with lower incidences of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, regular check-ups by a professional dentist may now be even more important.

– Regular brushing and flossing could lessen the chances of developing dementia.

– Those with a greater number of teeth enjoyed healthier diets.

– Those with less than nine teeth were at a much higher risk of succumbing to mental impairment later in their lives.

“The findings published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society add to evidence that good oral hygiene boosts mental health.”

Read more:

http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/keeping-more-your-teeth-lessen-9986362

Neanderthals Might Have Used Aspirin, Too

 teeth health smile dentistIf our teeth are hurting these days we’ll often reach for an aspirin and book an appointment with our dentist. But surely they couldn’t have done that in pre-historic times?

Well, of course they didn’t have access to a dentist, but they did use “aspirin” for pain in their teeth.

According to new research by Laura Weyrich, of the Australian Center for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide, plaque found on a Neanderthal tooth suggests that they were using the active ingredient in aspirin for pain relief.

When examine the tooth from the Neanderthals smile they also found evidence of a natural antibiotic mold, i.e. penicillium, that we would not discover for 40,000 years. It seems crazy to think that Neanderthals cared for their smile as much as we do now!

“Dental plaque traps microorganisms that lived in the mouth and pathogens found in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract,” she explained in a university news release. Plaque also harbors “bits of food stuck in the teeth — preserving the DNA for thousands of years.”

Read the full story here:

https://consumer.healthday.com/dental-and-oral-information-9/misc-dental-problem-news-174/toothache-neanderthals-might-have-reached-for-aspirin-too-720397.html

End the Battle Against Bad Breath

teeth health smile dentistMany of us will, at some point or another, suffer from the affliction of bad breath. However, this problem is easy to solve by following a few simple steps. Always remember to brush and floss your teeth after eating, as any dentist will tell you. As bad breath is sometimes caused by bacteria on the tongue, it will be a good idea to brush your tongue as well.

As any dentist knows, certain beverages can contribute to bad breath as well as staining your smile, so it might be worth switching to water. Following these steps will leave you with fresh breath and a smile!

– Remember to brush and floss your teeth after eating to dispose of food debris.

– Bacteria on the back of the tongue can cause bad breath, so brush your tongue as well.

– Certain beverages can contribute to bad breath; drinking water is a way of avoiding this.

“If food remains on your teeth because you don’t brush and you don’t floss, that food just sits in your mouth and is degraded by bacteria and you can just IMAGINE the odour that gives off.”

Read more:

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/health/bad-braeth-get-rid-dentists-12481756

Heart Patients Need Antibiotics Before Dental Work

teeth health smile dentistThinking about going to the dentist? Before you do, there’s something you should know. An expert says you should tell your dentist if you have any heart-related condition in order to prevent an infection.

That includes a heart defect, artificial heart valve or heart transplant – any heart condition. You may need a prescribed antibiotic to reduce your chances of infection.

“Whether you’re getting a simple teeth cleaning or getting treatment for gum disease or a tooth extraction, talk to your dentist about whether or not you should receive antibiotics before the procedure,” stated the expert.

Read the full story here:

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/when-to-receive-antibiotics-before-denta

The important message of children’s dental health month

teeth health smile dentistDid you know that February is Children’s Dental Health month? Many parents do not realise how important it is to take their child to the dentist at least once every 6 months and to start doing so no later than their first birthday.

Though children’s teeth are ‘replaceable’ until their adult teeth start growing, cavities can cause pain and cavity issues can spread throughout the gums and mouth. ‘

– Wipe an infant’s gums with a clean cloth after every feed.

– Brush your very young child’s teeth for them at least twice a day, taking them to the dentist regularly.

– Avoid too much juice (4oz of juice per day is the recommended upper limit) as it contains sugar. Sugary drinks such as cola and lemonade are also a very big no-no for young children.

Good oral health habits introduced early will last a lifetime.”

Read more here:

For more specific information from a dentist to help protect your child’s smile: http://www.craigdailypress.com/news/2017/feb/12/thoughtful-parenting-february-national-childrens-d/

Get Prompt Treatment for Your Dental Infections to Avoid Fatal Outcomes

teeth health smile dentistDental infections may start small but may prove to be fatal if left untreated. These infections are fatal since they easily spread to the vital organs of the body.

Key takeaways:

– Some of the signs of dental infection to look out for are; dull pain in the teeth, inflammation, facial swelling, body fever, tooth sensitivity, and bleeding.

– Visit your dentists to get the necessary treatment before the dental infection gets out of control.

– Possible treatments for dental infections include antibiotic use, root canal treatment, and surgical removal of diseased parts.

Every dental infection is life threatening. They can and do get out of control very quickly and should be attended to immediately.

Read the full story here

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/think-you-have-a-dental-infection-seeking-dental-or-medical-care-may-save-your-life/

Custom Mouthguards Advised For Teeth Grinding and Sports

teeth health smile dentistDon’t buy an inexpensive mouthguard from a store, as it won’t fit well and will be uncomfortable. Instead, a custom mouthguard is best suited for protecting teeth from damage, including that caused by bruxism or sports.

Key takeaways:

– Custom mouthguards will be worth the investment regardless whether they are worn for teeth grinding or sport.

– You will never get used to a poorly fitting mouthguard. In fact, it could do you more damage than good.

– A custom mouthguard will ensure you breathe normally even when asleep.

“Getting a custom mouthguard is absolutely worth the effort and the cost at your dentist’s office. This is because it better protects your teeth, is more comfortable, and allows you to breathe properly regardless of what you need to do with your mouthguard in.”

Read the full story here

http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/custom-mouthguards-are-they-really-worth-it/

Loss of Teeth Indicative How Well You Look After Yourself

teeth health smile dentistSome causes of tooth loss are poor dental hygiene and stress which could point to poor lifestyle choices. Hence, teeth are a good indicator of how well an individual is looking after themselves.

Key takeaways:

– A study indicates that losing more than five teeth has an impact on life expectancy.

– Tooth loss occurs due to trauma, poor oral hygiene, stress, gum disease, and smoking.

– Brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, use mouthwash, and stay away from sugary foods and drinks.

We welcome more research into this matter as it may be a way to detect and prevent diseases related to tooth loss and other serious systemic diseases.

Read the full story here

How the number of TEETH you’ve lost can determine how long you will live

Skipping Brushing Your Teeth May Lead To Many Health Issues

 teeth health smile dentistAll manner of health issues have been linked to poor oral hygiene. Failure to brush your teeth twice every day may affect cardiac health.

Key takeaways:

– Bad breath is a complete turn-off. Build up of plaque when you fail to brush will cause foul breath.

– When you don’t brush adequately and skip flossing, you increase risk of coronary heart disease. The bacteria in the mouth will find their way into the bloodstream causing damage to the heart’s vessels.

– Ensure that you brush your teeth twice every day for about two minutes to maintain good oral hygiene.

According to dentists, skipping the twice daily cleanse can lead to all sorts of health issues such as loose teeth, bleeding gums and even coronary heart disease.

Read the full story here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4159486/This-happens-don-t-brush-teeth.html#-/web/topics/268450464-1485702545189