“Wearing Dentures?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 27, 2009 under Beautiful Smile, Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Information | Be the First to Comment

One day the word “dentures” could become a historical term, once all preventive medicine has been practiced! At the present time, however, someone you are caring for may still need to rely on wearing dentures to get by with their dental health. For this reason, it should be nice to learn some facts about dentures. Usually, wearing dentures is a difficult new experience that is often hard to get used to. Time and practive will allow cheeks and tongue get used to the sensation of holding your dentures in place, if there is adequate dental ridge and muscle tone. A dental adhesive might be needed for the beginner or for someone with insufficient bone ridge or muscle tone.

Upper full denture

When first starting to wear dentures, eating even the most simple foods may seem difficult. The foreign sensation of wearing a plastic appliance over a portion of the mouth shouldn’t feel painful – be grateful that this treatment option is available to restore your oral function and health back the best it can be! After first receiving the dentures, eat simple, non-sticky foods like yogurts, steamed vegetables and eggs. Raw vegetables and nuts should be avoided as these items tend to require rigorous use of teeth. When chewing, place food on both rear sides of your dentures to keep your mouth balanced. This is something that will become easier with time.

As a general rule of thumb, denture wearers tend to have a poorer diet than non-denture wearers, so getting a healthy balanced diet is key. If you find difficulty eating with your dentures, check with dentist as adjustments are routine to keep everything functioning and feeling as it should. Dentures should be a supplementary device intended to add to a person’s quality of  life, not detract from it. Speech may also be affected by dentures, and although it may seem difficult or cumbersome in the beginning, after about a month, speech should improve. If not, speak with your dentist about the situation.

Remember, keeping your dentures clean is just as important as keeping your mouth clean. Dentures should be cleaned after each meal, during which the mouth should be cleaned with rinse or lightly scrubbed with a soft bristle toothbrush, to prevent food from sitting beneath the dentures and irritating the gum (which can lead to a fungus infection). Remember, do not sleep with dentures in – the gums need a chance to rest!

It is  possible to have a fruitful, fulfilling life with dentures , if the dentures after multiple adjustments or even new sets still have problem to stay in or hurts, there are other options , maybe selections or set up of different denture teeth,ridge augmentation or dental impalnts, Be sure to find out what will be the best restorative options to regain abilit to eat healthy and feeling healthy. every 6 months with your dental professional to prevent any unexpected problems.

“Diabetes & Dental Problems?”

Posted by drgracesun on April 2, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Information | Read the First Comment

Diabetes is a serious health condition for a large segment of the population, which can cause problem of your eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. Los Angeles (the city I live and love) has the highest diabetes-related amputation rate in the country! My father-in-law had a diabetes-related stroke, hitting close to home how the consequences of diabetes can be quite severe. There are many varied  effects on oral health due to the diabetes condition, including periodontal disease (gum disease), tooth decay, salivary gland dysfunction, fugal infection , delay and poor healing and taste impairment. I get pretty apprehensive when treating diabetic patients, especially when dental implants are called for, or surgical procedures were needed, because of the delayed and poor healing associated with diabetes. It is important to keep your health history updated and inform your dental professional if you are diabetic, whether or not the management of the condition is under control.

When diabetes is not controlled properly, excess glucose can attach to proteins in the blood vessels and alter their normal structure and function; the thicker and less elastic vessels lead to poor circulation and reduce the body’s resistance to infection (leading to gum infection). High glucose levels in your saliva will promote bacteria growth also. When this happens, your oral environment becomes much more susceptible to cavities, infection and gum disease. It is important if you are diabetic to keep up with your oral hygiene, as proper brushing and flossing can help prevent periodontitis, which can compromise the gum and bone and lead to tooth loss. Poor circulation due to diabetes can decrease  blood supply to the gums, causing dry mouth which is  more susceptible to disease as well (tooth decay, gingivitis , periodontitis, or fungal infection).

It is important to learn about your body, manage the diabetic condition through diet, exercise and medication under the care of your physician, see your dental professional regularly (twice or three times a year) for cleaning and check ups. All in all, if you are on top of your oral hygiene (brush and floss after every meal), control your blood glucose levels and visit your dentist regularly, you should be in good health. Schedule an appointment with your dental professional if you suspect your diabetes may be adversely affecting your oral health!

“What Should I Eat?”

Posted by drgracesun on March 1, 2009 under Information, Smart Smile | 2 Comments to Read

What you eat, and how often you eat foods that are unhealthy for your teeth, determine how likely you are to get cavities and other problems caused by bad diet, like bad breath and even gum disease. As you eat, your mouth begins the first stages of digestion. Healthy bacteria in your saliva convert sugars into acids – good for digestion, bad for your teeth. Plaque is one of the biggest enemies to your mouth, which forms when food particles are allowed to linger around your teeth and gums. This process begins the moment you begin to eat, which is why it is so important to brush and floss after every meal.

A healthy meal for your body and your teeth!

Once a tooth forms, it is subject to our oral environment. Diets consisting of high sugar, starch or acid content can all erode your enamel unless you are exceptionally good keeping up your oral hygiene (brushing and flossing after every meal). The health of gum and bone tissue that supports the teeth is greatly influenced by proper diet that contains nutrients to keep our body healthy.

What should you eat? Natural, organic and unrefined foods. These foods have high nutrient value and less sugar than processed food, and will pose a smaller threat to your teeth. The best food choices include dairy (like milk, cheese and yogurt) and poultry (like chicken and duck). These foods provide your teeth with calcium and phosphorus, which help to form enamel and bone. Crunchy natural foods like  nuts and green leafy vegetables or orange-colored fruits will stimulate gum and saliva flow, a natural cavity fighter. These foods also contain beta carotene, which the body turns into vitamin C (essential for your body’s ability to maintain and repair healthy soft tissue). If you cannot eat fruits and vegetables naturally, taking a supplemental vitamin or drink which contains Vitamin C and other antioxidants will help protect your gums against cellular damage, and promote their healing abilities. Unsweetened tea is another great drink which has little impact on your mouth’s health.

Foods which contain high amounts of sugar (like candy and carbohydrate-laden foods like bread, chips, fries and muffins), natural or processed, are a tooth’s worst nightmare! The high sugar content of these foods help bacteria thrive. Breads and starches should be an occasional indulgence: when starches mix with amylase (a natural enzyme in your mouth), acid forms that erodes the enamel of your teeth. Additionally, dry foods like chips and cookies or even dried fruits have a tendency to stick to the surface of your teeth, which also helps bacteria thrive. Acidic sweetened beverages like sodas are the worst type of liquid to expose your teeth to, and can cause tooth erosion, enamel decay and even periodontitis – avoid soda and carbonated beverages at all costs! Artificial sweeteners can be a better alternative to sugar-sweetened drinks, as they do not feed bacteria like natural sugar.

Pregnant? Start right by eating right during pregnancy. Eating sensibly during pregnancy means getting adequate calcium (your body needs Vitamin D to absorb calcium) to form strong teeth and bone, which will give your child a good start also. Fluoride can also be used to prevent tooth decay.

So, eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and remember to brush, floss and rinse your mouth (and tongue) after meals. You will be on the road to healthy, brilliant teeth!

“Can Mouthwash Cause Cancer?!”

Posted by drgracesun on February 28, 2009 under Information, Smart Smile | Read the First Comment

If you think mouthwash makes you more kissable, think again!

Don't use alcoholic mouthwash!

Over the counter mouthwash only temporarily masks your bad breath, but the alcohol contained in the mouthwash will dry your mouth out and eventually make your breath worse. Recent studies however have mentioned mouthwash and its potential link to cancer – scary!

Most mouthwash brands contain alcohol in their mouthwash formula. Rinsing your oral environment with any alcoholic substances make it easier for cancer-causing chemicals (like nicotine) to penetrate the oral tissue which lines the mouth, an extreme hazard for smokers. Some mouthwashes even contain alcohol amounts higher than drinks you can purchase in a bar, up to 26% (or 52 proof)! Particularly, ethanol contained in some mouthwash rinses dramatically increase the ability of cancer-causing substances to penetrate the lining of your mouth, and other harmful chemicals such as Acetaldehyde – which forms in a person’s mouth after using alcoholic mouthwash – are suspected to be carcinogenic. Some studies show an increased risk of oral cancer, particularly in the larynx, pharynx or oral cavity , of up to 5 times that of a non-alcoholic-mouthwash user, with alcohol and tobacco user risks even higher of up to 9 times, if alcoholic mouthwashes were used twice daily. Alcohol has long been established as a cancer risk; using alcoholic mouthwash, you have a much higher level of alcohol in your mouth, and combined with swishing it around in your mouth, it carries a very harmful effect on your mouth. More detailed research is necessary to substantiate these claims, but all alcoholic-mouthwash users should take caution.

Keep up your best oral hygiene with good habits: brush and floss twice a day and after every meal (2 minute count-down!), and clean your tongue once a day. Watch what you eat (no more Kimchi), and if you have postnasal drip or airway allergies (or a dry mouth), seek professional help. But what about mouthwash? Although it can benefit your oral cavity for a short period of time, not everyone should be rinsing with mouthwash that contains alcohol, particularly if you’re a smoker.

How do you choose a safe mouthwash? If you enjoy the refreshing sensation from swishing with mouthwash, read the label! There are non-alcoholic mouthwash products that work by neutralizing mouth odors (caused by volatile sulfur compounds) like Oxyfresh, Tom’s Maine Natural Cleaning Mouthwash, BreathRx and Tooth and Gum Tonic (my personal favorite), which is most effective at controlling bad breath. Tooth and Gum Tonic also carries an anti-inflammatory effect from the herbs and essential oil ingredients, which provide therapeutic sensations to gingivitis sufferers. And remember, if you can, quit unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking!