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Good Oral Health, Including Dentures, May Protect Against Cognitive Decline SOURCE: New York University, news release, July 8, 2021 Tooth loss is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia-and with each tooth lost, the risk of cognitive decline grows, according to a new analysis led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing…

Certain gum disease-related variables improve five years after the early removal of nearby unerupted wisdom teeth in young patients, according to a new study. In the study published in the March issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), average probing pocket…

Don’t underestimate the benefit of a smile.  Smiles can improve your health in many ways. Smiling lowers stress, improves mood and encourages positive thinking.  Smiles increase opportunities for more social connections which improves emotional health.     When one smiles, there is often a slight increase in oxygen and heart rate, followed by muscles relaxing and…

New research finds that gum disease may make an otherwise healthy person significantly more likely to develop high blood pressure. Recent research published in the March 2021 American Heart Association Hypertension journal shows that periodontitis, gum disease, is linked to higher blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals. According to the study,  researchers studied 250 otherwise…

Want healthy teeth and gums? Make sure your diet features these key vitamins. These nutritional building blocks are essential for your dental health. Supplements are also widely available. Calcium Calcium is a mineral that helps build bones and provide structural support. In your mouth, calcium helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jawbone.What to eat: In…

Following are some frequently asked questions related to oral surgery and children’s dental health and conditions. What are the advantages of digital x-rays?While Digital X-Ray equipment is much more expensive than traditional x-rays, it offers patients tremendous advantages, including less exposure to radiation, better picture quality, shorter “chair time”, better dental records, and no resulting…

This information was obtained online from www.colgate.com.  So you brush your teeth every day, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to make your breath as fresh as you’d like it to be. What could you be missing? A tongue cleaner is one vital part of your oral care routine that you don’t want to neglect,…

Oral Cancer makes up about 3% of all cancers.  However, 90% of all oral cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, a type of malignant tumor, diagnosed by biopsy. Early detection usually comes from your dentist who will examine your mouth and tongue looking for unusual lesions. Should there be a lesion that is suspect, you will…

New data from a study at the American Dental Association Health Policy Institute indicates that there has been a rise in stress-related dental conditions, like tooth grinding and cracking, during the coronavirus pandemic.    Even though the increase in grinding and other tooth problems cannot be directly attributed to the coronavirus pandemic, it seems to indicate…

Osteopenia is a condition in which you lose bone mass and your bones weaken, due to a loss of calcium and Vitamin D. It is usually diagnosed by a bone density test, and if not treated may lead to osteoporosis which can put you at serious risk for bone fractures. Some people are genetically prone to…

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. It occurs when the muscles relax during sleep, causing soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway. Most people with OSA snore loudly and frequently,…

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things about our daily lives. Your regular visits to the dentist have changed, too. In March, the ADA recommended that dentists postpone all but emergency procedures until April 30 at the earliest to help reduce the spread of the virus; save masks gloves and other personal protective equipment…

If a tooth or teeth are painful when drinking water, or other hot and cold beverages, this is an indication of sensitivity. If you have sensitive teeth, hot foods and drinks can unexpectedly trigger a jolt of pain fast. This pain is the result of enamel wearing away over time, exposing the soft, inner part of…

World Oral Health Day  is celebrated on March 20th. Make a pledge to look after your oral health, whatever your age. View the pledge at worldoralhealthday.org   Your mouth is a mirror to your body and reflects your general health and well-being. Avoid risk factors, adopt good oral hygiene habits and have regular dental check-ups…

Young children with dental pain and/or infection require treatment at any age—sometimes that means your child will need to go under general anesthesia or sedation. Of course, there are many reasons for this. Some dental procedures require your child to lie completely still, there may be a lot to fix, or the noise of the…

Brushing too hard can damage your teeth and irritate your gums. Too much pressure might even lead to scratches and infections if you do it frequently. Plaque however is surprisingly loose and soft, making its removal easier than you think. It’s only difficult to remove when it hardens to tartar, but you won’t be able…

Did you know that certain health conditions can cause oral problems? Diabetes and oral health conditions are often related. People with Type I or Type II diabetes are at heightened risk of developing tooth decay, fungal infections in the mouth and gum disease. Practicing thorough oral hygiene, following and controlling glucose levels, and a proper…