Why The Heck Do You Need To Know That?

When you come in for your dental visit, you may notice that we do a lot more than examine your teeth & gums.  One of the most important parts of your visit is when we ask you questions about your general health.  But many people have said to us:

"What does that have to do with my dental check up?"
The answer -- a lot!

More and more research is being published linking dental health to overall health, and at DeLand Smiles, we are concerned about both!

A recent study by Columbia University concluded that "Gum disease is an early complication of diabetes."  It continued to say, "70% of adults see a dentist at least once per year"-- this is a perfect opportunity to screen for diabetes and other diseases.  According to a recent article in The British Dental Journal, it works the other way around too, as gum disease can be a contributing factor in heart disease, oral cancer, and other illnesses.

Are you taking any medications, either prescription or over-the-counter?  Many of these can lead to dry mouth, gum inflammation, and other dental problems.  And it's even more complicated for women, as hormonal changes, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives can cause many changes in dental health. (Isn't everything more complicated for women?)

So the good news is, unlike a visit to your physician - you get to keep your clothes on and won't be poked and prodded anywhere other than your mouth!  But as you can see, it is extremely important that we know about your total physical health and any medications you are taking.  Not only can we save your teeth -- we may actually save your life!

APPLE -- King of Technology or King of Fruit?

Due to the unfortunate passing of Steve Jobs, the word “apple” has made its way into mainstream conversations.  We have crowned Apple the King of Technology due to its numerous inventions that has changed the way we interact with the world and they continue to push the envelope of form & function, much like the area of dentistry. I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, the words, “Apple” and “Blackberry” simply referred to fruits.

October is recognized as National Dental Hygiene Month, so let’s talk dental hygiene for a minute.  You know to brush, you know to floss, but did you know there is a particular food you can use to your advantage when it comes to dental hygiene?…The apple. 

Apples are known as Nature’s Toothbrush because of their fibers.  These fibers act as mini toothbrushes when chewed, which helps kill bacteria in the mouth & reduce the risk of cavities.  Apples are also high in water content, which helps to dilute the effects of their sugar & helps to stimulate the flow of saliva.   In addition to water & fiber, apples contain acid that helps to clean & brighten your smile—but you must remember to rinse with water or an antibacterial mouth rinse after eating an apple so the acid & sugar is neutralized & doesn’t harm your teeth.  Because apples are crunchy, they also help to naturally toughen up your gums.

You just read how apples effect your teeth on the outside, so now let’s talk about how they are effected on the inside.  Believe it or not, apples are a good source of both calcium & phosphorus.  Approximately 99% of calcium in the human body is held in the bones & teeth and is the mineral most likely to be deficient in the average diet.  The bones store extra calcium, which the body can extract and use when too little calcium is consumed.  The calcium housed in your teeth tends to stay there, but as your jawbone gives up its supply of calcium stores, your jaw becomes weak, your teeth get loose and gaps begin to form between the gums & teeth where bacteria hide & multiply-- causing infections, inflammation & bleeding.  Amazingly enough, the first signs of osteoporosis are often found by the dentist.

Phosphorus is the 2^nd most abundant mineral in the body & about 80% is housed in the bones & teeth.  This mineral adds rigidity to bones & teeth and plays an important role in stopping the progression of cavities.

Will an apple a day keep the doctor and dentist away?  No, but it will certainly help to.

The King of Technology has provided us with life-changing technology, but the apple superfruit has continued to provide us with life-enhancing benefits since the beginning of time-- which is why I crown it, The King of Fruits!