ewstricklanddental.mydentistsblog.comEdwin W. Strickland, DDS – Dr. Edwin W. Strickland | Waynesboro Mississippi Dentist

Edwin W. Strickland, DDS Dr. Edwin W. Strickland | Waynesboro Mississippi Dentist Scroll down to content Posts Posted on May 13, 2024 How sealants can give your teeth extra protection Sealants are made from plastic material applied to the back teeth to protect the enamel from plaque and acids. The plastic bonds into the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth – premolars and molars. Although thorough brushing and flossing can help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, the toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. The benefit of sealants is that they protect these vulnerable areas by sealing out” plaque and food. Your dentist can apply sealants quite easily and it takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. The teeth being sealed will first be cleaned. Then the chewing surfaces are roughened with an acid solution which makes it easier for the sealant to stick to the tooth. The sealant is then ‘painted’ onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden. As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. They usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. Your dentist will check the condition of the sealants during your regular visits and reapply them when necessary. Sealants are ideal for children because the risk of developing pit and fissure decay starts early in life. However, many adults can benefit from sealants as well. Your dentist can tell you whether sealants would help your oral hygiene program. Posted on May 6, 2024 How a healthy diet can help you have healthy teeth Eating the right food plays an important role in developing healthy teeth and gums. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, it may be more difficult for tissues in your mouth to fight infection and this can contribute to gum disease. Although poor nutrition does not cause gum disease directly, the disease may progress faster and could be more severe in people with diets which are low in nutrients. The U.S. Department of Agriculture makes recommendations on the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed by your body – including your teeth and gums – to promote health and prevent disease. We have different needs at various stages life and depending on our physical activity. The DOA website provides more information and your dentist will be able to discuss how your diet affects your teeth. Here are some steps you can take to make sure what you eat doesn’t harm your teeth. – Maintain a healthy diet – Drink plenty water – Limit the number of between-meal snacks. When you must snack, choose nutritious foods that are low in sugar – Keep a food diary for a week recording every item you eat and drink It will also help if you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. Schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings and talk to your dentist about how your diet affects your teeth. Posted on April 29, 2024 How your oral health links with your general health Research has shown strong links between periodontitis (advanced form of gum disease) and other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and bacterial pneumonia. And pregnant women with periodontitis may be at increased risk of delivering pre-term and/or having babies with low birth weight. However, just because two conditions occur at the same time, doesn’t necessarily mean that one condition causes the other. The relationship could work the other way. For example, there is evidence that diabetics are more likely to develop periodontitis and have more severe periodontitis than non-diabetics. Alternatively, two conditions that occur together may be caused by something else. In addition, people who smoke or use alcohol have a higher than average risk of developing periodontitis and other conditions, including oral cancer. Research is looking at what happens when periodontitis is treated in individuals with these problems. The aim is to find out whether periodontitis does have an effect on other health problems. If one caused the other, improvement in periodontal health would also improve other health problems. While the research is not yet conclusive, the potential link between periodontitis and systemic health problems, means that preventing periodontitis may be an important step in maintaining overall health. In most cases, good oral health can be maintained by brushing and flossing every day and receiving regular professional dental care. Posted on April 22, 2024 Action steps to prevent gum disease Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults but it can be prevented or reversed if you take the right steps. It’s caused by plaque – a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums. However, you can help avoid gum disease by caring properly for your teeth and having regular dental checkups. These are some steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthy: Brush your teeth well twice a day: This removes the film of bacteria from the teeth. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that is in good condition. Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay. Clean between your teeth every day: You need to remove the bacteria and food particles that a toothbrush can’t reach so you should clean between your teeth with floss or interdental cleaners every day. Your dentist will show you how to do this properly without injuring your gums. Even if you already have early stage gum disease, it can often be reversed by daily brushing and flossing. Eat a balanced diet: A good diet based on a variety of foods from the basic food groups, such as grain products; fruits; vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; and dairy products will help your teeth. It’s also a good idea to limit snacks between meals. Visit your dentist regularly: To prevent gum disease, it’s important to have regular dental checkups and professional cleaning. Taking the right steps will help you avoid gum disease and can even reverse it if you catch it in the early stages. Posted on April 15, 2024 How older adults can handle dry mouth and taste problems Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers and diuretics. Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include: – Constant sore throat – Burning sensation – Problems speaking – Difficulty swallowing – Hoarseness or dry nasal passages Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. For example, sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses. Another issue that can affect older adults is a loss of appetite due to a change in your sense of taste. Besides an age-related decrease in the sense of taste and smell, certain diseases, medications and dentures can contribute to a decrease in your sense of taste. Whether you are suffering from dry mouth or problems with your sense of taste, your dentist will be able to make suggestions to help. Posted on April 8, 2024 Common mouth sores: causes and cures Mouth sores can be very annoying and painful and can have many causes. The causes can range from infections – bacterial, viral or fungal – to a loose orthodontic wire or a denture that doesn’t fit or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling. But mouth sores may be symptoms of an underlying disease or problem. So, if you’ve had any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer,...