HOW MUCH SUGAR ARE YOU CONSUMING EACH DAY? Do you know? In many countries, the average can be well over 20 teaspoons per day! Sugar can be a major contributor to tooth decay. Here at our practice, we’re interested in talking about every topic that affects both your oral and overall health.

It’s Not JUST About Avoiding “Sweets”

Here are 5 easy ways to get a better handle on your sugar intake:

1. Read Labels

There’s added sugar lurking in places you would have never guessed. “Healthy” cereals, ketchup, chips, and even spaghetti sauces can have tons of sugar. Be sure to watch the video below to learn how to equate grams of sugar into teaspoons. Also, watch for words like dextrose, sucrose, malted barley extract, and corn syrup when reading the ingredients list.

2. Beware Of Pseudo-Healthy Traps

You may assume that you’re eating healthier with that energy bar, smoothie, or yogurt. That may not be true. Take a careful look at the nutritional facts and sugar content before you make such things a routine staple.

The Info In This Video Is Great

This video from the community partnership, Smile Kentucky!, is somewhat directed toward kids—but the information is important for everyone! Enjoy and learn!

3. Watch What You’re Drinking

Half of your sugar intake may be in the things you drink. A major offender is soda pop, but be careful of fruit juices too.

4. Find Easy Alternatives

Everyone’s tastes and lifestyles are so different, so experiment until you find YOUR OWN solution. Sweet tooth in the evening? For you, it may work best to satisfy the craving with a tiny piece of dark chocolate (eaten without guilt), and then promise yourself to brush your teeth immediately afterwards and not eat anything else before bedtime. Afternoon munchies? Cut up a bunch of easy-to-eat raw vegetables at the beginning of the week and keep them handy in the fridge for snacking. Also, drink more water! Sometimes (believe it or not) you think you’re hungry—but in reality, you’re thirsty. A tall glass of water can get you past a craving.

5. Cut Back On Starches, Snack Foods And Bread

Both sugar and starch are carbohydrates. They both break down into sugars, and they both can promote tooth decay.

We hope you find these ideas helpful!

Remember that by cutting back on sugar, you can better stave off obesity, diabetes, and of course, cavities! What’s good for your body is good for your teeth too!

Do you have any tips of your own for minimizing sugar? We’d love to hear them. Share them below in the comments section or on our Facebook page. Thank you for being our valued patient!

DID YOU KNOW THAT WOMEN HAVE special challenges when it comes to their oral health? Hormonal cycles can affect the way women’s bodies react to bacteria and plaque inside their mouths. If you’re a woman—or if you’d like to pass this information along to a woman who could benefit from it—our team encourages you to learn more about these important dental facts.

Hormonal Cycles Can Affect Gums

Puberty, pregnancy, and menstruation cause increased progesterone and estrogen levels which can lead to increased gum sensitivity. There’s also a condition known as menstruation gingivitis, which can cause some women to experience increased bleeding and swollen gums right before menstruation. This condition is typically not serious and clears up quickly. Gingivitis during pregnancy can be more severe, and may even cause non-cancerous oral tumors. That’s another reason why it’s important for women to keep their regular checkup appointments during pregnancy.

Oral contraceptives also increase hormonal levels in women’s bodies which can cause increased sensitivity and vulnerability to gum disease. During menopause, hormonal fluctuations can also create oral health problems including dry mouth syndrome, which can significantly add to a woman’s tooth decay risk.

Other Oral Health Problems That Are More Likely To Affect Women

• Women are almost twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders). TMD causes strain on one’s jaw joint and potential damage to teeth, often as a result of clenching and/or teeth grinding.
• HPV is becoming more common, and research is increasingly suggesting a link between HPV and oral cancer. Regular oral cancer screenings are important whether or not a woman has high risk factors.
• As you know, women are much more susceptible to osteoporosis than men which can cause jaw bone loss and associated periodontal disease problems.

The Great News? Women Take Better Care Of Their Oral Health!

As you might expect, a helpful remedy in many instances is to simply maintain good dental health habits! Fortunately, women are better at this than men! A recent study of over 800 young men and women shows:

• Women are more consistent when it comes to regular checkups
• Women exhibit better attitudes toward dentistry in general
• Women have better personal dental habits

OK… Here’s Just A Fun Little Aside From “The View”

Questions?

If you have any questions about your oral health or any of the special challenges we’ve talked about above, be sure to ask us! There are lots of easy ways to connect with us—and we promise to be very responsive! You can make a comment below, or even connect with us on our Facebook page.

YOU are a valued part of our dental practice. Thanks for being our patient!

YOU’VE PROBABLY NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT, but did you know that when you’re stressed out, our team might be able to tell by the signs in your mouth? Stress can have a huge effect on your oral health.

1. Your Mouth Can Reflect How You Feel: Stress can manifest itself in physical irritations that include canker sores, dry mouth, or burning mouth.
2. When Stressed, Your Defenses Are Down: Stress can compromise your immune system, which could make it easier for decay-causing bacteria in your mouth to wreak havoc.
3. Stress Contributes To Teeth Grinding: Many people grind their teeth and don’t even realize it. The tension you feel during the day can manifest itself through grinding at night—severely damaging your teeth.
4. Your Sound Oral Health Routines May Slip: While people’s minds are consumed with all their other important “stuff”, some put their oral health on the back burner. That could end up becoming a double whammy when compromised oral health creates even more stress in their lives.

A Remedy That Can Help

Here’s the irony—stress makes you less apt to smile, when in fact smiling can actually help you diminish stress! A study by psychologists at the University of Kansas showed that even a forced smile in stressful situations can lower heart rates. And a genuine smile? Even more powerful. Smiles also release serotonin and endorphins, which are major mood-boosters and stress-busters.

Don’t Let Oral Health Problems Add To Your Stress

Here at our practice, we try to help minimize your stress. If you experience anxiety over regular dental visits, a postponed treatment, or perhaps a toothache that you’re worried about having us look at, ask us about ways we can help you. We’re here to help keep the power of your smile in full force! Remember that a clean, healthy mouth can contribute to your total body health. And a healthy body helps you deal with the trials that life throws at each of us.

Thoughts on this subject? You can leave a comment below or post a comment or direct message on our Facebook wall. We’ll get back to you about it right away.

Thanks for being our valued friend and patient!

SHAKESPEARE WROTE, “Parting is such sweet sorrow…”. But from everyone here at our practice, we can assure you that the sorrow part ends the second you start brushing with a new toothbrush.

Take A Look At Your Toothbrush

Are the bristles starting to look bent, worn, or frayed? Or, are the bristles starting to look like they’re parallel to your teeth instead of perpendicular? If so, it’s time for a new toothbrush. Has somebody else used your toothbrush (gross)? If so, they’ve contaminated it with the bacteria in their mouth—and if you use it, you’ll expose yourself to any disease or sickness they may have. Again, it’s time for a new toothbrush.

The American Dental Association recommends that you replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Old toothbrushes lose their structural ability to thoroughly clean, and fraying bristles don’t clean well between your teeth. Fraying bristles can also be hard on your gums and can even cause damage to your gums.

Are You Storing Your Toothbrush Correctly?

• Store it upright, and keep it out of contact with the bathroom counter.
• Keep it out of contact with other people’s toothbrushes.
• Keep it far away from the toilet splash zone (gross, again).
• Make sure it dries between uses. Toothbrush covers are handy for travel, but at home your toothbrush needs to air dry.

When you get a new toothbrush, keep these tips in mind:

• Get the size that fits in your mouth comfortably and reaches everywhere.
• Hard bristles can wear enamel unnecessarily. Soft bristles are usually better.
• The brand is not as important as your commitment to brushing correctly and regularly. If you have questions about how to do that, visit with our team.

What Can You Do With That Old Toothbrush!?

Well, you could just throw it away. But that’s boring! There are all kinds of uses for old toothbrushes—like cleaning, painting, and yes, bracelet making!Here are two videos that show you how to make a cool bracelet out of your old toothbrush (by the way, the second video doesn’t have any sound). If you don’t want to do this yourself, do you have a child, niece, nephew, grandson, granddaughter, or neighbor that would have fun doing it?Share the idea, or invite them over and try it together!

Keep Up Your Great Oral Hygiene Habits!

It’s absolutely worth it! And don’t miss your regular checkups. If you ever have any questions about toothbrushes or any other oral health topic, ask us, leave a comment below and we’ll quickly respond, or send us a message on our Facebook page!

Thanks, as always, for your continued trust and friendship.