As we usher in the new year, it’s the perfect time to set some fresh goals for your oral health. At Parkside Village Dental, we believe that a beautiful, healthy smile starts with a commitment to your dental care. Whether you’re a regular at the dentist or it’s been a while since your last visit, now’s the time to create resolutions that will keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape all year long.

Here are the Top 10 Dental Resolutions to make this year your healthiest yet:

1. Brush Twice a Day, Every Day

It sounds simple, but brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most effective ways to maintain good oral hygiene. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste to help remove plaque and prevent cavities. Don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every three months!

2. Floss Daily for a Deep Clean

Flossing is often overlooked, but it’s essential for removing food particles and plaque between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing once a day, ideally before bedtime, helps prevent gum disease and cavities. Try to make it a part of your evening routine for a fresh, clean mouth.

3. Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups

One of the easiest ways to protect your smile is to see your dentist regularly. Aim for at least two check-ups and cleanings per year to catch issues early, like cavities or gum disease. Your dentist can provide personalized advice to keep your teeth in top shape.

4. Eat Tooth-Friendly Foods

What you eat affects the health of your teeth. Incorporate more calcium-rich foods like dairy, leafy greens, and almonds to help strengthen your teeth. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, can naturally scrub your teeth while boosting saliva production.

5. Limit Sugary Snacks and Drinks

Sugar is a major culprit behind tooth decay, as it feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. Reduce your intake of sugary snacks and drinks (like soda, candy, and even fruit juices) to protect your teeth. Opt for healthier snack options like nuts, yogurt, or veggies to keep your smile bright.

6. Quit Smoking for Better Oral Health

Smoking is harmful to both your teeth and gums. It can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. This year, make it a resolution to quit smoking to improve your overall health, including your oral health. Your dentist can offer support and guidance to help you make the change.

7. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is essential for keeping your mouth hydrated and washing away food particles and bacteria. Drinking water throughout the day helps promote healthy gums, keeps your breath fresh, and prevents dry mouth—another way to prevent cavities.

8. Consider Whitening Options for a Dazzling Smile

If you’ve been wanting a whiter smile, this is the year to explore your options. From over-the-counter whitening products to professional whitening treatments offered at Parkside Village Dental, there are many ways to achieve a brighter smile. Just be sure to consult with your dentist before using any whitening products to ensure they’re safe for your teeth.

9. Protect Your Teeth During Sports

If you or your kids are involved in sports, wearing a mouthguard is essential to protect against potential injuries. Whether it’s for a contact sport or recreational activity, a mouthguard can prevent broken or knocked-out teeth. Ask your dentist for a custom-fit guard for the best protection and comfort.

10. Stay Consistent with Your Oral Health Routine

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining oral health. Make it a habit to stick to your dental hygiene routine every day, from brushing and flossing to visiting your dentist. Set reminders if necessary, and track your progress to make sure you’re staying on track with your resolutions.

Conclusion

With the new year comes new opportunities to improve your oral health, and adopting these simple dental resolutions can have a lasting impact on the health and appearance of your smile. At Parkside Village Dental, we’re here to support you in achieving your oral health goals throughout the year. Schedule your next appointment with us today and let’s make 2024 the year of your healthiest smile yet!

Here’s to a year of bright, healthy smiles ahead!

Gum disease is common and unpleasant, but, according to a growing body of evidence, it could also play a role in a surprising range of seemingly unrelated health problems. Cleaning your teeth may be even more important than you thought. Plaque — a sticky substance that contains bacteria — builds up on teeth. If it is not brushed away, the bacteria can irritate the gums.

The gums may then become swollen, sore, or infected; this is referred to as gingivitis. In general, gum disease can be treated or prevented by maintaining a good oral health regime. However, if it is left to develop, it can result in periodontitis, which weakens the supporting structures of the teeth.

Gum disease, which is also called periodontal disease, is widespread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease.

The mechanisms behind periodontal disease are relatively well-understood, and newer research shows that this health problem may play a role in the development of a number of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. In this Spotlight, we will cover some of the surprising links between gum disease and disparate health issues.

Gums and the brain

Although spatially the gums are near the brain, one wouldn’t normally associate dental complaints with neurological conditions.

However, some studies have found a link between periodontal disease and tooth loss and cognitive function. One study looking at cognitive performance followed 597 men for up to 32 years. The authors conclude:

Risk of cognitive decline in older men increases as more teeth are lost. Periodontal disease and caries, major reasons for tooth loss, are also related to cognitive decline.

Researchers have also linked periodontal disease with an increased buildup of beta-amyloid in the brain — the neurological hallmark of Alzheimer’s.

Other experiments have produced evidence that one type of bacteria commonly found in cases of periodontitis — Porphyromonas gingivalis — can be found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Following on from that discovery, in a more recent study, researchers showed that P. gingivalis infection boosts the production of beta-amyloid in the brain.

Periodontal disease was associated with a small, but significant, increase in overall cancer risk.

In this study, the researchers paid particular attention to an enzyme produced by P. gingivalis called gingipain. They found that this protease was toxic to tau, another protein that plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer’s.

It is worth noting that other researchers have concluded that beta-amyloid is produced in response to a pathogen. The way we view Alzheimer’s is slowly changing.

In the future, scientists hope that targeting gingipain enzymes might help stop neurodegeneration in some people with Alzheimer’s disease. They have already designed a gingipain inhibitor, which they are testing in humans.

The dentist or surgeon will numb the tooth first to make the person more comfortable. While a tooth extraction may still be unpleasant, it can be key for relieving dental pain and preventing future problems.

In this article, we outline the different types of tooth extraction and why people need them. We also describe preparation and what to expect after the procedure.

What is tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth.

Dentists and oral surgeons remove teeth for various reasons. Some examples include:

• dental cavities
• gum disease
• dental infections
• trauma or injury to the tooth or surrounding bone
• wisdom teeth complications
• preparation for a dental prosthesis
• žpreparation for dental braces, if the teeth are very crowded
• baby teeth not falling out at the proper age

Types

The right type of tooth extraction depends on the tooth’s shape, size, position, and location in the mouth.

Dental surgeons may classify extractions as simple or surgical. A simple extraction involves a tooth that is visible above the gums and that a dentist can remove in one piece.

A surgical extraction is more complicated and involves the removal of gum tissue, bone, or both. The surgeon may need to remove the tooth in pieces.

Wisdom teeth are the last to erupt and usually the first to require extraction because in many people, they are impacted. This means that they have not fully emerged from the gums.

Wisdom teeth extraction is a common procedure in oral surgery.

Preparation

A person will have a consultation with their dentist or oral surgeon prior to the extraction.

During the consultation, the doctor will ask for a thorough medical history. They will also ask about any medications that the person is taking.

Some people need to stop or start taking certain medications in the days leading up to the surgery, depending on the amount of teeth, bone, or both to be removed.

A person may also receive certain medications on the day of the surgery.

Stopping blood thinners

Many people take blood thinning medication to prevent the formation of blood clots in vessels. These medications can lead to more bleeding during surgery.

A dental surgeon can usually control bleeding at the site of the extraction by:

• using topical clotting medications on the gums
• packing the tooth socket with foam or dissolvable gauze
• stitching up the extraction site

Using gauze and applying pressure after the procedure can also help stop bleeding.

However, anyone who takes blood thinners should let their dental surgeon know during the consultation.

In order to tell whether the person should temporarily switch to a different blood thinner or stop taking this type of medication, the surgeon may need to see the results of a recent blood test.

Typically, people do not need to stop taking blood thinners prior to tooth extractions. Anyone considering stopping this treatment should consult their dentist or physician first.

Starting antibiotics

In a few circumstances, a dentist may prescribe antibiotics before a tooth extraction.

For example, they may do so to treat dental infections with widespread symptoms, such as a fever or malaise, along with local oral swelling.

Toothaches without swelling do not require antibiotics. Always take antibiotics exactly as directed by a doctor, and avoid unnecessary use.

A person may need antibiotics if they have a high risk of infective endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves or the interior lining of the heart chambers.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), people with certain heart conditions have an increased risk of developing this infection following dental surgery.

The AHA and American Dental Association recommend, therefore, that people with any of the following take antibiotics prior to dental surgery to reduce the risk of infection:

• a prosthetic cardiac valve
• a history of cardiac valve repair with prosthetic material
• a cardiac transplant with structural abnormalities of the valve
• certain congenital heart abnormalities
• a history of infective endocarditis

Anesthesia during surgery

The person will receive an injection of local anesthetic close to the site of the extraction. This will numb the area so that the person will not feel any pain. The numbness will continue for a few hours after the surgery.

A person can request additional anesthetic or sedative medication to minimize anxiety during the procedure. The dentist or surgeon may offer:

• nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas
• an oral sedative medication
• intravenous, or IV, sedation
• general anesthetic

A person who receives general anesthetic will be completely asleep during the procedure.

Some dentists do not have the options above at their offices. If a person requires any of these, they should let their dentist know during the consultation, and the dentist may refer them to an oral surgeon.

Although people may see white spots on their teeth as undesirable, they rarely need to be a serious cause for concern from a medical point of view.

In this article, we look at the reasons why people might get white spots on their teeth, and provide 11 tips for treating and preventing them.

Causes

There are several possible causes of white spots on the teeth.

A common cause is dental fluorosis.

People usually get this when they are young if they consumed too much fluoride as a child. It is usually a harmless condition that only tends to develop before the teeth break through the gums.

Another common cause is enamel hypoplasia.

This condition occurs when a person’s teeth enamel does not form properly. Like fluorosis, hypoplasia only occurs during childhood when a person’s teeth are still developing. However, it can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Other causes of white spots on the teeth include poor dental hygiene, especially when someone is wearing braces, or eating too many acidic or sugary foods.

Treatments

There are several possible treatments for white spots on the teeth. The suitability of these treatments may depend on the underlying cause of the white spots and the condition of a person’s teeth.

1. Enamel microabrasion

Some people may be able to have microabrasion done to treat their white spots. During this procedure, a dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the teeth to reduce the appearance of the white spots.

This professional treatment is typically followed by teeth bleaching, which can make the teeth appear more uniform in color.

2. Teeth whitening or bleaching

Whitening or bleaching teeth can help to reduce the appearance of white spots and other stains. A variety of teeth whitening products, such as strips and paste, are available over-the-counter (OTC.) People can also buy these products online.

People with white spots can also see a dentist for professional whitening treatments. These treatments tend to use stronger bleaching solutions than those available OTC, which may make them work better.

3. Dental veneer

Dental veneers are thin, protective coverings that attach to the front surface of a person’s teeth. They can conceal white spots and other blemishes very effectively.

Dental veneers are only available from a dentist and must be professionally fitted. This can make them costly.

4. Topical fluoride

A dentist may apply topical fluoride to the teeth of people with enamel hypoplasia. This may encourage the development of enamel on the teeth and help prevent tooth decay.

5. Composite resin

For people with enamel hypoplasia, a dentist may apply composite resin to fill in cavities and to bond the outer enamel of the teeth. This may not be suitable if people have large numbers of white spots on their teeth.