As each October creeps up on Cindy Flanagan, DDS, MAGD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), her mind always wanders to the amount of sweets both children and adults will be consuming during the last few months of the year.

“Too many sweets can cause a spooky mouth,” says Dr. Flanagan. “People have the tendency to graze on the sugary treats lying around the house during the holidays, and this increases the likelihood of cavities.”

Dr. Flanagan knows that candy consumption is almost unavoidable at this time of the year, so she’s offering some advice as to which sweets are less damaging to your teeth than others.

The Good:

• Sugar-free lollipops and hard candies: These treats stimulate saliva, which prevents dry mouth. A dry mouth allows plaque to build up on teeth faster, leading to an increased risk of cavities.
• Sugar-free gum: Chewing gum can actually prevent cavities, not only because it helps to dislodge food particles from the teeth, but also because it increases saliva. Saliva works to neutralize the acids of the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
• Dark chocolate: Chocolates are loaded with sugar, but studies have shown that the antioxidants in dark chocolate can be good for the heart and may even lower blood pressure. Just be sure to eat it in moderation.

The Bad:

• Sugary snacks: Candy corn, cookies, and cake all contain a high amount of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.
• Chewy/sticky sweets: Gummy candies, taffy, and even dried fruit can be difficult for children and adults to resist, but they are a serious source of tooth decay, particularly when they get stuck in the crevices between teeth and make it nearly impossible for saliva to wash away.
• Sour candies: High acid levels in these treats can break down tooth enamel quickly. The good news: Saliva slowly helps to restore the natural balance of the acid in the mouth. Dr. Flanagan recommends that patients wait 30 minutes to brush their teeth after consuming acidic foods or drinks, otherwise they will be brushing acid onto more tooth surfaces, increasing the erosive action.

Pacific dental group concludes that don’t overdo sweets, it is ok to get limited sugars and sweets, but remember to clean you and your child’s teeth after taken sweets.

Source from knowyourteeth

Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.

When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile.

Types of dentures:

• Conventional. This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.
• Immediate. This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, but may need to have the denture relined or remade after your jaw has healed.
• Over denture. Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An over denture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist. Implants can serve the same function, too.

New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

Pacific dental group suggest if you have any questions about your dentures, or if they stop fitting well or become damaged, contact your dentist. Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups, too.

Source from mouthhealthy.org

Most babies sprout their first tooth when they’re between 4 and 7 months old.

An early developer may get his first tooth as early as 3 months, while it may take a late bloomer until he’s a year old or more. (In very rare cases, a baby’s first tooth is already visible at birth.) Whenever your baby’s first tooth makes its appearance, celebrate the milestone by taking pictures and noting the date in your child’s baby book.

Teeth actually start developing while your baby is in the womb and tooth buds form in the gums. Teeth break through over a period of, and they often appear in this order: the bottom two middle teeth first, then the top two middle ones, then those along the sides and back.

Teeth can erupt one at a time, or several can come through at once. They may not all come in straight, but don’t worry – they usually straighten out over time.

The last teeth to appear (the second molars, found in the very back of the mouth on the top and bottom) usually come in around your baby’s second birthday or in the months after. By age 3, your child should have a full set of 20 baby teeth, and they shouldn’t start to fall out until his permanent teeth are ready to start coming in (around age 6).

• Sign of baby teething:
• Irritability or fussiness
• Drooling (which can cause a facial rash)
• Swollen, sensitive gums
• Gnawing or chewing behavior
• Refusing to eat
• Trouble sleeping

How can I help my teething baby feel better?

–   Give your child something to chew on, like a firm rubber teething ting or a cold washcloth that you’ve chilled in the refrigerator (not freezer).

–   Rub a clean finger gently but firmly over your baby’s sore gums to ease the pain temporarily.

–   If your baby is old enough for solids, he may get some relief from eating cold foods, such as applesauce or yogurt.

–   If your baby is old enough to eat finger foods, it may help him to gnaw on a hard, unsweetened teething biscuit, such as zwieback. Just keep an eye on him and be mindful of choking.

Pacific dental group love your children, and we always been care about children’s dental health.

Source from babycenter

When it comes to chewing gum, it’s the type of gum you chew that makes a difference in whether it’s helpful or harmful to your teeth. While chewing gum containing sugar may actually increase your chances of developing a cavity, there is clinical evidence that demonstrates just the opposite for sugar-free gum. And there’s even better news when it comes to chewing sugar-free gum that is sweetened with xylitol.

Sugar-free gum helps to clean teeth

Studies have shown that chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks can help rinse off and neutralize the acids released by the bacteria in plaque, which are harmful to tooth enamel. Both the act of chewing and the flavor of the artificial sweeteners in the gum stimulate ten times the normal rate of saliva flow. Not only does the increased saliva flow neutralize the acids in your mouth, it also washes away food particles, helping to keep your teeth clean.

Xylitol reduces decay-causing bacteria

Sugar-free gum sweetened with xylitol has the added benefit of inhibiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans, one of the oral bacteria that cause cavities. In the presence of xylitol, the bacteria lose the ability to adhere to the tooth, stunting the cavity-causing process. With xylitol use over a period of time, the types of bacteria in the mouth change and fewer decay-causing bacteria survive on tooth surfaces.

To chew or not to chew

Although chewing sugar-free gum can be beneficial in most instances, there are some cases in which chewing gum is not recommended. For example, if you are experiencing any type of jaw pain or temporomandibular disorder symptoms (TMD/TMJ), you should refrain from chewing gum and talk to your dentist about what options are available to you.

Pacific dental group suggestion that for most people, chewing sugar-free gum (especially gum sweetened with xylitol) can be a good preventive measure in situations when tooth brushing and flossing aren’t practical, but sugar-free or not, chewing gum should never replace good dental hygiene practices.

Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health.

What’s the connection between oral health and overall health?

Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria — most of them harmless. Normally the body’s natural defenses and good oral health care, such as daily brushing and flossing, can keep these bacteria under control. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can reach levels that might lead to oral infections, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Studies also suggest that oral bacteria and the inflammation associated with periodontitis — a severe form of gum disease — might play a role in some diseases. In addition, certain diseases, such as diabetes and HIV/AIDS, can lower the body’s resistance to infection, making oral health problems more severe.

Your oral health might contribute to various diseases and conditions, including:

• Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart (endocardium). Endocarditis typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body, such as your mouth, spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart.
• Cardiovascular disease.Some research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause.
• Pregnancy and birth.Periodontitis has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight.

Certain conditions also might affect your oral health, including:

• Diabetes reduces the body’s resistance to infection — putting the gums at risk. Gum disease appears to be more frequent and severe among people who have diabetes. Research shows that people who have gum disease have a harder time controlling their blood sugar levels, and that regular periodontal care can improve diabetes control.
• HIV/AIDS.Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS.
• Osteoporosis — which causes bones to become weak and brittle — might be linked with periodontal bone loss and tooth loss. Drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw.
• Alzheimer’s disease.Worsening oral health is seen as Alzheimer’s disease progresses.

Other conditions that might be linked to oral health include eating disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, head and neck cancers, and Sjogren’s syndrome — an immune system disorder that causes dry mouth.

Because of these potential links, tell your dentist if you’re taking any medications or have had any changes in your overall health — especially if you’ve had any recent illnesses or you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes.

Pacific dental group remind you to brush your teeth twice a day and don’t forgot to flossing and mouthwash teeth as well.

As you age, it becomes even more important to take good care of your teeth and dental health. One common misconception is that losing your teeth is inevitable. This is not true. If cared for properly, your teeth can last a lifetime.

Your mouth changes as you age. The nerves in your teeth can become smaller, making your teeth less sensitive to cavities or other problems. If you don’t get regular dental exams, this in turn can lead to these problems not being diagnosed until it is too late.

If you want to feel good, stay healthy, and look great throughout life, you might be surprised what a difference a healthy mouth makes.

Tips for Maintaining and Improving Your Oral Health

• Brush twice a day with a toothbrush with soft bristles. You may also benefit from using an electric toothbrush.
• Clean between your teeth once a day with floss or another flossing tool.
• If you wear full or partial dentures, remember to clean them on a daily basis. Take your dentures out of your mouth for at least four hours every day. It’s best to remove them at night.
• Drink tap water. Since most contains fluoride, it helps prevent tooth decay no matter how old you are.
• Quit smoking. Besides putting you at greater risk for lung and other cancers, smoking increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay and tooth loss.
• Visit your dentist. Visit your dentist regularly for a complete dental check-up.

By adopting healthy oral habits at home, making smart choices about diet and lifestyle, and seeking regular dental care, you can help your teeth last a lifetime—whether you have your natural teeth, implants or wear dentures.

Pacific dental group remind that no matter what age you are, dental health is one of the most important thing in our overall health. Take care of your dental health and have a beautiful smile everyday.

Source from MouthHealth.

If your dental hygiene is great — you brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and clean your tongue — your bad breathe could be linked to your diet.

Certain foods can taint your breath for hours and contribute to dragon breath in other ways. Here are some of the culprits:

Garlic and onions. “Garlic and onions top the list when it comes to halitosis,” says Lisa Harper Mallonee, MPH, RD, associate professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry.

That’s because the smelly sulfur compounds in garlic and onions linger in your mouth and are absorbed in the bloodstream and expelled when you exhale.

Coffee and alcohol. Coffee and alcoholic drinks create a favorable environment for oral bacterial growth. They also have a drying effect, which reduces saliva flow and allows foul-smelling bacteria to linger longer.

Several other foods – including dairy products, a diet heavy in meat, orange juice, and soda – sometimes get talked about as bad breath triggers. Mallonee says she doesn’t have “any sound scientific evidence” about that.

Paul Vankevich, DMD, an assistant professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, agrees. Any food or drink, he says, could briefly cause breath odor if it’s allowed to linger in the mouth. “This is insignificant and non-consequential,” Vankevich tells WebMD in an email. Brushing your mouth and your tongue gets your good breath back.

Pacific dental group recommend you to eat health, drink health, and keep a beautiful smile all the time.