Cosmetic Dentistry Blog at My Dentist USA

Dental Health for Baby Boomers

If you're one of the 75 million Baby Boomers in the United States today, you're probably considering the future of your teeth. Questions like "How long will they last?" and "What steps can I take now to preserve them for the future?" are good questions to ask, as gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among Baby Boomers today.

The American Dental Association has launched an Oral Health Awareness Program focused on the Baby Boomer generation, based on extended life expectancy and noting that "60 is the new 40."

As always, the answers to these questions lie in good oral hygiene practices coupled with regular visits to your dental professional.

More information on the American Dental Association's Baby Boomer Oral Health Awareness Program is available through the ADA website.

Thanks for visiting My Dentist USA!

Labels: american dental association, baby boomers

11:36 AM

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

How Often Should I Visit The Dentist?

Regular check-ups are a must. At least every six months.

The most important step you can take to preserve your teeth and gums from decay and disease is to regularly visit the dentist for examinations, x-rays and cleanings. No matter how much you floss and brush, the only way to ensure long term oral health is to visit dentist.

The American Dental Association has identified dentist and dental hygienist visits as the most effective way one can stave off disease and decay. The center of oral preventative care is the dentist visit.

Are you looking for a certified, highly qualified and experienced cosmetic dentist in your area? Find the cosmetic dentist you've been looking for at My Dentist USA, your ultimate resource for certified cosmetic dentists.

Labels: 3-d x-ray technology, american dental association, check-up, eliminating gum disease, preventative dentistry

9:39 AM

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Gum Disease Periodontal Disease Symptoms and Prevention

There are many factors that contribute to periodontal disease, or gum disease. Although it is true that gum disease is primarily caused by plaque build-up, smoking, poor dental hygiene (such as leaving food between teeth for long periods of time because of badly aligned teeth), partial dentures or bridges that don't quite fit right, and poor diet are all contributing factors to periodontal disease. The real issue with plaque is that it builds up slowly, over a long period of time, so that the build-up doesn't cause any real pain until there's a problem.

That's why good dental hygiene and proper teeth alignment is so important to the health of your gums and, ultimately your teeth. If you can catch plaque build-up in it's beginning stages, the better chance you'll have of controlling or eliminating gum disease. Awareness of the signs of beginning gum disease is critical. Here are some of the typical symptoms of gum disease to watch out for:

bleeding gums
swollen, red gums
gums that have pulled away from your teeth
loose teeth or shifting teeth
halitosis or bad breath

These are only a few of the possible symptoms of gum disease. Ask your cosmetic dentist for more information on periodontal disease. If you suspect that you may suffer from gum disease, get checked out immediately. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to restore your gums and teeth.

For more information on periodontal disease, check out the American Dental Association's website.

Thanks for visiting My Dentist USA!

Labels: ada, american dental association, eliminating gum disease, gum disease, periodontal disease, symptoms of gum disease

7:10 AM

Monday, December 8, 2008

Brushing Your Teeth Can Save Your Life? Maybe.

(CNN) Doctors have known for years that gum disease and heart disease are linked, but they have yet to reach agreement on the exact reasons behind the connection.

Heart disease patients often have several risk factors such as high cholesterol or poor diet, making it impossible to single out bad dental health as a contributing factor.

Heart disease is the nation's top killer, claiming a staggering 450,000 lives in 2004, according to the American Heart Association.

Although it's unknown how many of those deaths are linked to gum disease, oral pathologist Dr. Dwight Weathers of Emory University suspects that the number would be high, "given that 85 percent of people over age 65 and probably half of people younger than that have some form of periodontal disease. Wow. That would be a big number."

A substance produced in the body called high-sensitivity C-reactive-protein (hs-CRP) is suspected to play a role in the link between gum disease and heart disease.

Acute gum disease increases the amount of hs-CRP in the bloodstream, which is a natural response to inflammation caused by injury or infection. The American Heart Association says hs-CRP may signal an increased risk for heart attacks.

Gum disease can sneak up on its victims without any warning signs, according to the American Dental Association, which recommends prevention by proper diet, brushing, flossing and dental visits.

To read this article by Thom Patterson in its entirety, please click here.

Thanks for visiting My Dentist USA!

Labels: american dental association, gum disease, heart disease, periodontal disease

2:01 PM

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Amalgam Fillings Bad? Not So Says ADA.

There is a long time fear that amalgam (silver) fillings are bad for your health, especially in the brain development of young children and their neurological status. However after a report done by The Journal of the American Dental Association they found that, there was indeed, no harm done.

Mercury is known to be toxic in it's natural state to the human body, but combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc, it forms a safe and stable alloy. Despite the alloy, many people feared the mercury would still be toxic to the human body, especially in children, since many children get their first fillings with their first cavities at relatively young ages.

During the seven year study they compared two groups of children, one with amalgam fillings and one using a resin based filling. After the study, there was no difference in neurological tests. And any diminishing neurological activity that was found, was found equally in both groups and attributed to normal childhood to adolescent aging.

So you can be confident that if you have the old "silver" fillings, that you're not in any danger at all. However, if the amalgam fillings are "unsightly" to you, you can always look for a Cosmetic Dentist to replace them with tooth colored resin fillings to perfect that beautiful smile that you have.

Search for you Cosmetic Dentist today at My Dentist USA.

Labels: amalgam fillings, american dental association, mercury fillings

3:12 PM