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Showing posts from October, 2020

Dental plaque – what it is and how to avoid it

  You’ve probably heard people talking about plaque and maybe you’ve some idea of what it is. But its useful to know a bit more about it so that you can do whats necessary to minimize the risks. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums. When you’ve eaten a meal or snack, the bacteria in plaque release acids that attack tooth enamel. When this happens regularly, the enamel can weaken. This eventually leads to tooth decay. The food we eat often causes plaque bacteria to produce acids. So, if you eat a lot of snacks, your teeth may be suffering acid attacks all day. If you don’t remove the plaque through effective daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, it can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Another effect of plaque is that it also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red and tender or causing them to bleed easily. If you want to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, make sure you have a balanced diet and avoid having too many sn

How cancer treatment affects oral health

  When someone is undergoing cancer treatment, its important that they involve their dentist in their program of care. They should schedule a dental exam and cleaning before the treatment actually begins and then repeat it periodically during the course of treatment. Its important that they tell the dentist that they are being treated for cancer and that they also discuss any dental procedures, such as extractions or insertion of dental implants, with the oncologist before starting the cancer treatment. Its therefore a good idea to ensure that the dentist and oncologist have each others details to enable them to discuss any issues to help the patient. And the dentist and physician should be informed about any issues such as bleeding of the gums, pain, or unusual feeling in the teeth or gums, or any dental infections. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene during cancer treatment is vital to reduce the risk of infection and to help aid the treatment process.

Things to look out for during pregnancy

  Every woman wants to maintain their own health during pregnancy and to take whatever steps are necessary to give the baby the best possible start. There are a few factors in your oral health to look out for during this time. One consideration is that its common for pregnant women to have the urge to eat between meals. The risk is that frequent snacking on carbohydrate-containing foods can encourage tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth called plaque can convert the sugar and starch in your mouth into an acid that attacks tooth enamel. After repeated attacks, tooth decay can result. So, when you need a snack, try to choose foods that are nutritious for you and your baby such as raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products. During pregnancy, your bodys hormone levels rise considerably. Gum problems, such as gingivitis, are especially common during the second to eighth months of pregnancy. They may cause red, puffy or tender gums that bleed when you brush. This is an exaggerated response

Whats involved in getting a dental implant?

  Dental implants are increasingly popular as a way to replace missing or damaged teeth. Their great advantage is that they look natural and feel secure helping you to restore your smile and eat more easily. Implants are an ideal solution for many people but they are not an option for everyone. Placing implants requires some surgery so patients must be in good health, have healthy gums and have adequate bone to support the implant. They must also be committed to taking action to maintain their oral hygiene and to visiting the dentist regularly. The process for placing implants is as follows: First, surgery is performed to place the anchor. This can take up to several hours. Following the surgery, you may need to wait up to six months for the bone to grow around the anchor and firmly hold it in place. Sometimes follow up surgery is required to attach a post to connect the anchor to the replacement teeth. Alternatively, the anchor and post may already be attached and are placed at the sa