Diabetes affects millions of people all over the world. The World Health Organization reports that there are currently 346 million diabetic people in the world. In its 2011 National Diabetes Fact Sheet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that an estimated 25.8 million Americans have diabetes. It's common knowledge that people with this disease need to be extra careful with what they eat because too much sugar can lead to severe health consequences. However, diabetics are also at a much higher risk of dental problems than ordinary persons.
Oral hygiene begins at birth. Babies need just as much oral hygiene as adults do, if not more. Their mouths can easily become irritate, and they are vulnerable to painful tooth decay. Parents who invest time in their baby’s oral habits are investing in the health of their children. The monotony is worth a healthy mouth.
Remember those demonstrations in health class where the instructor would stroke away oh-so-gently at an oversized pair of false teeth with a toothbrush made for the Jolly Green Giant? The right way to brush, she insisted, was up and down. Specifically, on the lower-jaw teeth we were to brush up and vice versa for the top teeth. We were assured that this north-south technique would dislodge food particles caught between teeth as well as keep them from being jammed up (or down) into the gum line. If you are like most people, though, you never quite trusted that you could do a thorough job without throwing in some vigorous side-to-side motion.
There are many reasons that you may decide to use an at-home or over-the-counter teeth whitening kit. Not only are these options much cheaper in cost than professional services performed at a dental office, but they are more convenient as well. If you plan to use products and solutions to whiten your own teeth, however, there are several points and considerations that you should keep in mind.
Choosing a dentist for your child is an important and sometimes overwhelming decision. After all, this will be what sets up your child’s attitude toward dental appointments for the rest of his or her life. A good experience is crucial. There are several factors to consider when selecting a dentist for your child in order to foster a positive attitude toward their oral hygiene for years to come.
There may be silent damage going on in your mouth that you aren’t even aware of. If you eat and drink foods and beverages with a high acid content, the acid gradually erodes away tooth enamel - and the results aren’t pretty. Acid erosion can lead to tooth discoloration and sensitivity in the early stages, but if the problem goes unchecked, teeth can develop small cracks and areas where the enamel has worn away. What can you do to prevent this problem?
Root canals, tooth extractions, and other procedures for improving a person's oral well-being are what usually come to mind when dentistry is mentioned. Although oral health is a priority in dentistry, aesthetics is also important, which is the reason many people go in for cosmetic dentistry procedures. Among the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures are teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, fillings, and crowns. These procedures are done not just for aesthetic purposes but also for the restoration of damaged teeth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 32% of American children suffer from some form of dental fluorosis. Dental defects, like fluorosis, are so prevalent because there is very little information available to parents on the subject.
If you brush your teeth a couple of times a day and have never had any major issues involving dental health, it is easy to think that your teeth will always stay in good condition. However, there are many everyday activities that could be slowly but steadily damaging your teeth. Think about the following common habits that can cause serious, long-term problems, and try to combat any that seem familiar.
There are a number of complications associated with diabetes. Most of them are well known: nerve damage, kidney damage, diabetic retinopathy, even an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Less known is that diabetes can aggravate tooth and gum problems to such an extent your overall health is in danger.