Thursday, March 15, 2012

*Six Ways Oral Hygiene Keeps You Well*

    
Taking good care of your mouth, teeth and gums does more than help ensure you have a bright, white smile.    If you’re tempted to put off your good oral hygiene habits such as brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly, check out this information.  
Here are six ways that having healthy teeth and gums can help boost your overall health.

1. Boost Your Self-Esteem and Confidence!
Decayed teeth and gum disease are often associated, not only with an unsightly mouth, but also with very bad breath. It's so bad it can affect your confidence, self-image, and self-esteem. With a healthy mouth that’s free of gum disease and cavities, your quality of life is also bound to be better.You can eat properly, sleep better, and concentrate with no aching teeth or mouth infections to distract you.
2. Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease!
Chronic inflammation from gum disease has been associated with the development of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blockages of blood vessels, and strokes. Experts  say that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between gum disease and these other serious health problems. This link has been shown in numerous studies. The findings of these studies may suggest that maintaining oral health can help protect overall health.
3. Preserves Your Memory!
Adults with gingivitis (swollen, bleeding gums) performed worse on tests of memory and other cognitive skills than did those with healthier gums and mouths, according to a report in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Those with gingivitis were more likely to perform poorly on two tests: delayed verbal recall and subtraction. Both skills used in everyday life.
4. Reduces Your Risk of Infection and Inflammation in Other Parts of Your Body!
Poor oral health has been linked to the development of infection in other parts of the body. Research has found an association between gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Eating a balanced diet, seeing your dentist regularly, and good oral hygiene help reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Make sure you brush twice a day and floss once a day. Using an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste can help reduce bacteria in the mouth that can cause gingivitis.
5. Helps Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable if You Have Diabetes!
People with uncontrolled diabetes often have gum disease. Having diabetes can make you less able to fight off infection, including gum infections that can lead to serious gum disease. Some experts have found that if you have diabetes, you also are more likely to develop more severe gum problems than someone without diabetes. That may make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Reducing your risk of gingivitis by protecting your oral health may help with blood sugar control if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
6. Helps Pregnant Women Carry Their Babies to Term!
Women may experience increased gingivitis during pregnancy. Some research suggests a relationship between gum disease and per-term, low-birth-weight infants. Not all studies have found a solid link, but maintaining good oral health is still the best goal. If you’re pregnant, visit your dentist or periodontist as part of your prenatal care. Consider it good practice for the role modeling that lies ahead for all new parents.

- WebMD Medical Reference


Parisi Dental
224 Union Boulevard
Totowa, NJ 07512
973-595-1700
info@parisidental.com
www.ParisiDental.com

health and teeth, Oral Hygiene in Totowa, NJ 

Monday, January 23, 2012

Helping Your Kids be Cavity Free


Below is a list of things parents can at home daily to help ensure your kids are cavity free.   These instructions concentrate on home-based activities and parental responsibilities. 

•    Parents must assist and supervise with brushing and flossing; and with a child’s food choices into adolescence.

•    Parents and caregivers, have your teeth checked before conception and before delivery. Cavities are the result of an infectious disease spread primarily from the mother or primary caregiver to the child. Do not share spoons or utensils with your kids.

•    Take your child to the dentist every 6 months beginning at 12 months of age.

•    Avoid nursing bottles, “sippy” cups, straws, spouts, sports bottles, etc., after the age of 12 months unless they contain plain water only.

•    Brush after breakfast and before bedtime everyday. Brushing after lunch or after school is good too. Floss before bedtime every night.

•    Drink plain water between meals and after dinner; save the soda, sweet tea, fruit juices, Gatorade type products, etc. for meal times only.

•    Eat only healthy snacks (i.e., fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, or water, etc.) between meals and in the evening.

•    Avoid sugars and starches as snack foods between meals (i.e., candy, chips (potato and tortilla), crackers, cookies, cakes, cereals, chewing gum, etc.).

•    Rinse with an anti-cavity fluoride rinse before bedtime every night starting about age 6, if your child can rinse and spit reliably. Do not use if your child swallows any of this product.


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Parisi Dental
224 Union Boulevard
Totowa, NJ 07512
973-595-1700
info@parisidental.com
www.ParisiDental.com

Dentist for kids in Totowa, NJ