What Does Your Teeth Affect On Photo Day?

Despite the marvels of modern technology, tooth decay is still a prevalent disease on a global scale. Around 64 million Americans have a serious gum condition called periodontitis which is known to lead to other health issues. This equates to around half of the population over the age of 30. While gum disease has been linked to serious conditions, these aren’t always obvious right away as internal examinations are often required. Sometimes, however, these conditions are serious enough to manifest on the outside.

One of the most surprising areas affected by a tooth disease is the nailbed, particularly those of the toes. Tooth and Nail Syndrome have an ectodermal dysplasia which is often seen in the teeth, nails, hair, and/or skin. Signs to look out for are problems with the scalp or hair and a lack of growth in especially the toenails. The biggest indicator, however, lies in the teeth. Some teeth may be missing which is a condition referred to as hypodontia, or the teeth are seriously malformed.

How to Deal With ‘Keto Breath’ While Following the Keto Diet

Many people who follow the Keto Diet experience an unwanted side effect, which is having unpleasantly fruit-scented “Keto Breath”. While a scientific study published in the BMC Oral Health journal showed that following a low-carb diet, such as the Keto Diet, which includes omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin C, reduces periodontal inflammation and gingivitis by a whopping fifty percent, many people dread Keto Breath. Most want to find practical solutions to this common problem

This diet gets major press because a lot of people lose a significant amount of weight while they’re on it. Like the Atkins Diet, the Keto Diet is about eschewing carbs. When carb intake is dramatically curtailed, the body goes into a state called Ketosis, which causes the body to burn stored fat and produce ketones. The ketones are utilized as fuel. Ketosis tends to trigger “Keto Breath”, which is harmless but undesirable.

When you follow this diet, your body won’t handle electrolytes and water the way that it usually does. This may lead to dehydration. This first phase of the diet is a time when many people do get a little bit dehydrated, because their bodies are shifting from converting carbs to energy to converting fats to energy. Dehydration triggers dry mouth and this sets the stage for Keto Breath. Drinking more water during all phases of the diet, and especially during the first phase, is one of the secrets of banishing Keto Breath.

Autonomous Robots to Eradicate Covid-19 Virus

Boston Dental Clinic, an award-winning dental practice in Boston, USA and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, announces the deployment of UV Disinfection Robots to sterilize the premises and eradicate the spread of Covid-19 (corona virus). The first dental clinic in the world to utilize this autonomous technology, the UVD Robots eliminate harmful pathogens and superbugs on surfaces and in the air within the room through a highly effective process of sterilization.

A field hospital opened in Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, was recently staffed with the UVD Robots to ease the burden on pressured healthcare workers and cleaning staff while eliminating the possibility of human error during sensitization. Within a span of 10 minutes, the autonomous technology and self-navigating robots eliminate the need for additional cleaning staff within a confined space.

The robots use eight UV-C ultraviolet lights to disinfect, and move in a 360-degree fashion to offer complete coverage of the room while destroying 99.99% of all viruses and bacteria. They are more effective than manual cleaning procedures that involve spraying disinfectants. This helps slow the spread of corona virus and helps protect the front line healthcare workers that frequent these spaces. To ensure the safety of those around it, the robots are equipped with an emergency button and sensor-based safety features that shut down the UV lights in case a person is present within the space they’re disinfecting.

How Seniors Can Prevent Tooth Loss?

Sadly, about 27% of seniors over the age of 65 have no remaining teeth, as per the NIDCR. A study by CW Douglas indicated that in 2000, 35.4 million people in the US wore dentures, and the number will increase to 37.9 million by 2020. The Silberg Center for Dental Science advises that loss of tooth among seniors has a lot of effects including affecting their social life adversely. Therefore, in your senior years, it is better to use natural and non-invasive ways to strengthen your teeth. Just like there are various ways to ensure that kids brush their teeth, there are specific constraints that seniors should heed to improve their dental health and more importantly, to beat tooth loss. Below are some natural and lifestyle tips that can help you in curbing the loss of teeth as you age.

What is a diastema?

A diastema is a gap between the teeth. It is not harmful, and it appears in children and adults. In children, the gap typically closes when their permanent teeth come through.

A diastema is a gap between teeth that is wider than 0.5 millimeters. It can develop between any teeth.

Treatment is not usually necessary for medical reasons. But if a person dislikes the appearance of their diastema, it is possible to close or narrow the gap.

If a person’s teeth are too small, relative to the size of their jawbone, gaps may develop between the teeth.

Jawbone and tooth sizes can be genetic, which is one reason that diastemas can run in families.

If some teeth are missing or smaller than others, a diastema can develop.

This often involves the upper lateral incisors — the teeth to either side of the two upper front teeth. If the upper lateral incisors are missing or relatively small, a gap can develop between the two front teeth.

The labial frenum is the tissue that extends from the inside of the upper lip to the gum above the upper front teeth.

If this tissue is especially large, it can cause a gap to form between these teeth.

How can boosting Your Vitamin And Mineral Intake Protect Your Smile?

Everyone knows that eating a good mix of vitamins and minerals is vital for optimum health, but did you know that these nutrients are just as essential for your dental health? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. But with the right vitamin and mineral consumption and effective dental care, the nation’s tooth decay could be significantly improved.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water which your teeth rely heavily on as research has found that it can reduce the rate of cavities by 60%. 95% of all leading brands of toothpaste contain fluoride and there are also prescription only ones available for those who need extra protection against cavities. Fluoride Alert details a whole host of ways in which you increase your fluoride consumption, including consuming processed foods and drinks, drinking tea, eating products which have been treated with a fluoride pesticide, such as, dried fruit and cocoa powder and cooking food in Teflon pans.

Calcium is well documented for keeping muscles, joints, and bones strong, but it’s just as powerful in protecting your teeth. Calcium keeps the teeth and gums healthy by replacing lost calcium particles. Therefore, it’s essential that your diet is packed full of dairy products, tinned salmon, almonds and dark green leafy vegetables. You’ll also need to keep your vitamin D intake high as this helps calcium absorption. Vitamin D is absorbed from sun exposure, from taking nutritional supplements and from eating a healthy diet of fatty fish, foods which have been fortified with vitamin D such as cereals and egg yolks.

Phosphorus is the second largest mineral found in the body, with 85% of it found in the teeth and bones alone. It works hand in hand with calcium and vitamin D to keep your teeth healthy and looking good. As long as you’re eating a well-balanced diet you should be consuming enough phosphorus to keep your dental hygiene in top condition. However, if you’re looking to up your intake of phosphorus- rich foods turkey, tuna, and sunflower seeds all rank highly. These high protein foods help to boost the absorption of this vital mineral.

To keep your teeth healthy you must ensure you look after them by following a good hygiene routine. However, the vitamin and minerals you consume play a pivotal role, too. In order to keep your teeth strong, healthy and pearly white fluoride, calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus are a must.

How to Stop Dry Mouth Caused By Diabetes

463 million people in the world have diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Foundation, and diabetes is known to raise the risk of certain dental health issues, including dry mouth. Dry mouth is much more than an annoyance that may make it a little difficult to speak sometimes. It’s a problem that raises the risk of tooth decay and makes it easier for fungal infections to develop. When people with diabetes learn how to manage dry mouth symptoms, they’ll be doing something good for their dental health and general health. Fortunately, there are effective ways to ease or eliminate dry mouth.

Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia, and it’s believed that diabetics are prone to dry mouth due to high blood glucose levels. Another issue is the fact diabetics produce less saliva than most non-diabetics, according to a study published in the Journal of Periodontology. Dry mouth issues may affect people with both forms of diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2). While all people with diabetes don’t develop dry mouth problems, they are not uncommon, either.

If you’re having dry mouth problems, which are common in diabetics, but not exclusive to diabetics, you may notice that your mouth feels sticky. You might also have bad breath, whether you’re aware of it or not. Mouth sores, cracked lips (especially at the corners) and dry throat may also occur. Additionally, speaking may be difficult. Some people with dry mouth have excessive thirst. Other symptoms to watch for include sore throat, a hoarse speaking voice, and dry, inflamed tongues. You may have some of these symptoms or most of them, as everyone is different.

Diabetics are used to accessing treatments that maintain or improve their health. For instance, people with diabetes might wear compression socks that ease health problems, such as swelling and discomfort from deep vein thrombosis, and many take pills or insulin injections to regulate their blood levels. Many also follow special diets that help them to stay well. When it comes to dry mouth, treatment options are also available. Drinking plenty of pure water should be very helpful. You may also want to use sugar-free mouthwashes, mints, and gums in order to stimulate the production of saliva. Avoid alcohol, tobacco products, and caffeine, as all may make dry mouth problems worse. As you can see, some simple lifestyle changes are usually enough to minimize or eliminate the problem.

Seeing your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleaning will be essential. Some dental patients need even more attention from dentists. Another smart tip is to talk to your doctor about any medications that you are taking. Some medications prescribed to diabetics may trigger side effects, including dry mouth. It is possible that your doctor can adjust your medication in order to try and ease this symptom.

Now that you know more about dry mouth and diabetes, you’ll be ready to tackle the problem. The more than you do to alleviate dry mouth, the better. Effective dry mouth treatments help to safeguard good health.

Lockdown leading to increased snacking culture

The coronavirus pandemic has changed many aspects of life, but it could also be having a significant impact on the health of the mouth, according to a leading charity.

New research by the Oral Health Foundation shows staying at home has led to more than one-in-three (38%) British adults increasing the amount of times they are snacking throughout the day.

Since lockdown, snacking has risen considerably in younger adults. Nearly two-in-three (61%) under 35s admit they are now eating more often in between meals.

Snacking has also risen amongst families with younger children. Seven-in-ten families (70%) with children under five are reporting more snacking in the household. This is more than double compared with those who are not living with children.

The Oral Health Foundation is worried about the damage snacking in between meals can have on the nation’s oral health. The charity’s Chief Executive, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, says: “As a nation we have slowly moved away from three square meals and have adopted more snacking habits. This has been worsened during lockdown, as sudden changes to work and family life might have led more people to snack more.

Cavity pain: Everything you need to know

Cavities, which dentists sometimes call dental caries, are spots of tooth decay. They can range in size from tiny to large enough to break teeth.

In 2011–2012, 91% of adults in the United States had cavities, yet many did not know it. This is because cavities do not typically hurt until they get deep enough into the tooth to affect the nerve below.

Cavity pain can range from mild to unbearable. When a cavity eats away at the enamel of a tooth, a person might find that it is more sensitive, especially when brushing the teeth or drinking hot or cold beverages.

Cavities that cause deeper damage in the tooth can affect the nerve, causing intense pain.

Sometimes, cavities can grow so large that bacteria can get into the gums, or even the bone underneath the teeth. This can cause intense, unrelenting pain, as well as serious infections.

Sometimes, an abscessed tooth stops hurting for a period of time when the infection kills the nerve or the pulp of the tooth.

However, a person may still have other symptoms, such as swelling, and the pain may return if the infection reaches the gums or bone.

Bacteria that eat sugar live on the teeth. A person is likely to have more bacteria in their mouth when they eat a very sugary diet, do not brush their teeth, or do not seek regular dental care.

Over time, these bacteria can eat into the enamel of the teeth, eventually causing decay deep in the tooth.

These bacteria form biofilms that cause plaque, making them more difficult to remove. Over time, the bacteria damage the sensitive pulp and nerve of the tooth, causing cavity pain.

Many factors can influence a person’s susceptibility to cavities, including their individual microbiome. The microbiome is a person’s unique colony of bacteria and other microoranisms that can either help or hinder the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Research also suggests that the bacteria that cause cavities are contagious. A person can transmit cavity-causing bacteria to another person by kissing them, sharing food or drinks with them, or sneezing on or near them.

Sinus infection and tooth pain: What is the connection?

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, occurs when viruses or bacteria infect the sinus linings. The results can be uncomfortable symptoms, including facial pain and pressure, runny nose, headache, and, sometimes, tooth pain.

Sinuses are cavities that are filled with air. Small hairs called cilia line the sinuses. Cilia hairs help move air, mucus, and bacteria or viruses through for filtration.

The sinuses allow a route for air to flow and warm the air that enters through the nose.

Without the sinuses, a person’s head would be heavier. The sinuses also help determine the sound of a person’s voice, as their voice resonates or changes with air vibrations in the sinuses.

A sinus infection can cause dental pain. According to an older article in the British Dental Journal, the most common sinus infection site that causes dental pain is the maxillary sinus.

The sinuses, teeth, and gums all share similar nerves that can transmit pain signals.

Inflammation due to sinus infection or dental disease can press on these nerves, leading to pain. A person may interpret these signals as dental pain.