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Ronald Watkins, DDS, MS has created this informative blog to help educate the community.
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Foods That You Can Eat as Snacks To Help Clean Your Teeth |
Posted on 7/12/2021 by Ronald Watkins |
There are certain foods that can help clean your mouth. Commonly referred to as detergent foods, these foods will help get rid of plaque on your teeth. For the best results, you should eat these foods after a meal. Detergent foods are very effective and can have impacts close to those of brushing. Generally, a healthy diet is important for your oral health: here are some foods you can eat as snacks to help clean your teeth. Carrots Carrots are known for their role in helping teeth fight cavities. However, munching on the sticks of a raw, crunchy carrot can also clean your teeth. The act of chewing on the carrot massages your gums, wiping out any stuck food particles. In addition, a carrot contains vitamin A as well as plaque-attacking keratin, which is vital for strengthening the enamel. Apples Eating raw apples will help clean and cleanse your teeth. It will also help get rid of bad breath. Apples contain a fibrous content that cleans teeth by acting as a natural toothbrush. It does so by scrubbing away plaque from teeth and getting rid of other food residues. Furthermore, the slight acidic content in apples helps kill off harmful bacteria that stimulate bad breath. Celery Sticks Celery gives your teeth an excellent workout. As you bite and chew on celery, it helps clean your teeth and massage your gums. The process of chewing celery also encourages the production of saliva, a natural cleaning agent for your teeth. Popcorn Eating popcorn with no flavor is also a great way of scrubbing your teeth' surface. Chewing popcorn is a reliable way of cleaning your teeth especially when you don't have a toothbrush nearby. Plain popcorn is firm and crispy enough to clean the teeth' surface. Visit our offices for more information on foods that can clean your teeth....
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How Gums Change as You Get Older |
Posted on 6/21/2021 by Ronald Watkins |
Your gums can go through changes over time. That is why it is important to have a comprehensive periodontal evaluation (CPE) each year. Why Gums Change as You Age The aging process impacts your gum health. Over time, gums can recede or pull away from the teeth and the bones can resorb, as well, if teeth are missing. Also, an older person, who has problems with mobility, may not brush every day, or as often as required. This also puts him or her at risk for gum infections and disease. A Weakened Immune System Older adults may have weakened immune systems, which can also affect gum health. That is why we advise older patients to see us yearly for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation (CPE). During the exam, we will measure the pockets of the gums to determine pocket depth. This will help us to determine gingival health and the degree, if any, of a gum infection or disease. For anyone with a weakened immune system, scheduling a CPE should be made a priority. Other Factors Older adults may also be more susceptible to dry mouth, a condition that increases your risk of cavities and gum disease. This is because older people often take medicines that worsen the condition. You need a sufficient saliva flow to neutralize mouth acids or provide protection against gum infections and tooth decay. Therefore, having dry mouth can lead to gum disease and problems with recession. While you can ask your doctor to possibly switch out any medications that cause dry mouth, it is not always possible. As a result, keeping a close check on your gingival health is essential. Conditions, such as diabetes, can also impact the condition of the gums. We can assist you in overcoming gum disease. Therapies include gum grafting (for recession) and the administration of antibiotics, along with deep cleaning (scaling and root planing – SRP). Give us a call today for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation....
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Understanding Denture Stomatitis and What It Means |
Posted on 6/7/2021 by Ronald Watkins |
Denture Stomatitis is a common inflammatory reaction related to wearing dentures. Other forms of denture stomatitis can be caused by allergic contact reactions or mechanical trauma. As a denture wearer, it is important that you understand what denture stomatitis means and the risks it poses. Denture Stomatitis Diagnosis The clinical diagnosis of denture stomatitis is based on the pattern of swelling and redness following the area shape of denture contact. During your visit, our dentists will take microbiological swabs from the denture surface, which will be checked for any presence of yeast. Some of the most common types of yeast found on dentures are tropicalis, glabrata, and albicans, among others. Upon examining the dentures, our dentists will determine whether you have denture stomatitis or not. In case you are diagnosed with the condition, immediate treatment will be offered. As much as denture stomatitis is a condition anyone can get, denture wearers are most likely to be affected. Similarly, those who do not keep their mouth clean can also develop the condition. Furthermore, some antibiotics have been linked to increasing the risk of developing this condition. Those who had the condition but recovered can also risk re-infection if they use these antibiotics. Therefore, it is important to check with us before using any OTC antibiotics. Preventing Denture Stomatitis One of the best ways to prevent denture stomatitis is by maintaining high standards of oral hygiene. It is important that you keep your mouth as clean as possible. Do so by rinsing your dentures after every meal to eliminate bacteria and other pathogens. If possible, you should also quit smoking altogether. This is because smoking encourages the growth of more yeast infections, increasing the chances of denture stomatitis. It is important that you prevent denture stomatitis for the benefit of your oral health. Visit our offices for more information on denture stomatitis....
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