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The ‘About’ section of our dental community reveals our passion, knowledge, and dedication to your oral health.

December 4 2023

Dentist Fun Facts…Know What?

Dentistry gets a bad name because people think of tools, needles and white coats when they think of the field. But it’s not what it seems to be. There are a lot of interesting facts about dentists that can help you understand the science and history behind your teeth. This is a great time to share some fun teeth facts that might make you smile.

The hardest thing in your body is your tooth enamel

It’s not your bones that are the toughest part of your body, it’s the enamel on your teeth. Steel isn’t even as hard as enamel! It is the hard shell that covers your teeth that makes them strong and immune to damage.

The average person brushes their teeth 38 days a year for their whole life.

Everyone knows how important it is to take care of their teeth and gums, but did you know that the average person brushes their teeth 38 days a year? You’d spend that much time every day, or 3.5 years!

Third, dental implants have been around for a very long time.

The idea of putting false teeth into the jawbone has been around for hundreds of years, even though current dental implants are a marvel of science. The Mayans replaced lost teeth with seashells, and the Egyptians did the same with ivory and other things.

A human tooth that is 42 inches long holds the world record.

It was 1.46 inches long, which is the longest human tooth ever found. That’s bigger than most of your thumbs.

Your tongue print is one of a kind

Your tongue has a unique print, just like your fingerprints. Because no two people have the same tongue print, it could be used to identify a person.

6. George Washington’s teeth were not made of wood.

George Washington, America’s first president, did not have fake teeth, despite what many people think. He had several sets of false teeth made from different materials, such as amber, animal teeth, and human teeth.

It’s good for your teeth to chew gum

Chewing sugar-free gum can be good for your teeth. It makes you salivate more, which helps balance out the acids in your mouth, wash away food bits, and make tooth enamel stronger.

Chewing gum from the Stone Age shows what people ate in the past

Chewing gum from more than 5,000 years ago has been found by archaeologists. They were able to learn about what our ancestors ate by looking at the DNA in this gum.

You and butterflies both taste with your feet.

Butterflies use the taste buds on their feet to find the right plants to lay their eggs on. People also have taste buds on the roof of their lips and taste sensors on their tongues, which is pretty cool.

The number 10 on your teeth is as unique as your fingerprint

You only have one tooth record, just like you only have one tongue print. Forensic dentists use tooth records to figure out who someone is, especially when fingerprints or other forms of identification are not available.

These interesting dental facts help us remember that our teeth do more than just help us chew and smile. They have an interesting past and some interesting traits that make them interesting to study and admire. You can now show off your new dental information the next time you go to the dentist’s office!

July 4 2023

Effects of Tobacco on Oral Health

Tobacco use, in its various forms, has long been associated with a plethora of detrimental health effects. One area where its harmful consequences are particularly evident is oral health. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the alarming repercussions of tobacco on the well-being of your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.

The Many Faces of Tobacco

Tobacco products come in several forms, each with its own set of adverse effects on oral health:

Cigarettes: The most common and widely recognized form of tobacco, are responsible for a wide array of oral health issues.
Smokeless Tobacco: This includes chewing tobacco and smoking. While it might not involve inhaling smoke, it poses unique dangers to oral health.
Cigars and Pipes: Smoking cigars or pipes may be perceived as less harmful than cigarettes, but they still expose your mouth to harmful substances.

Oral Health Consequences of Tobacco Use

Stained Teeth: One of the most visible effects of tobacco use is tooth staining. The tar and nicotine in tobacco can turn teeth yellow or even brown, causing aesthetic concerns.
Bad Breath: Tobacco use can lead to persistent bad breath (halitosis). The chemicals in tobacco can leave a foul odor in your mouth.
Gum Disease: Smoking is a significant risk factor for gum disease. It can weaken the immune system’s response to bacteria, leading to inflamed and infected gums. Over time, gum disease can cause tooth loss.
Tooth Decay: Tobacco users tend to have a higher likelihood of developing cavities and tooth decay due to the dry mouth that often accompanies tobacco use. Saliva helps protect teeth, but smoking reduces its production.
Oral Cancer: Perhaps the most severe consequence, tobacco use is a major risk factor for oral cancer. This includes cancer of the lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. It can lead to disfigurement, difficulties in speaking and eating, and, in severe cases, death.
Reduced Healing: Healing after dental procedures, such as tooth extraction or oral surgery, may be slower and less effective in tobacco users.
Diminished Senses: Smoking can dull your senses of taste and smell, further diminishing your quality of life.

Quitting Tobacco for Oral Health

The good news is that the harmful effects of tobacco on oral health are preventable. Here are some steps you can take to quit tobacco and protect your oral well-being:

Seek Support: Reach out to support groups, counselors, or healthcare professionals who can assist you in your journey to quit tobacco.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Consider nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges to help reduce your dependence on tobacco.
Prescription Medications: In some cases, prescription medications can be effective in aiding smoking cessation.
Oral Health Care: Maintain regular dental check-ups to monitor and manage the oral health issues resulting from tobacco use.
Lifestyle Changes: Implement healthier lifestyle choices, such as a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, to counteract the urge to smoke.

Conclusion

The relationship between tobacco use and oral health is well-established, and the consequences are too severe to be ignored. If you are a tobacco user, consider taking steps to quit. Not only will you protect your oral health, but you’ll also enhance your overall well-being and enjoy a brighter, healthier smile that’s free from the stains and damage caused by tobacco. Your oral health is worth it.

June 4 2023

Dentists are also doctors! Deconstructing the Myth

When we think of physicians, we usually picture medical experts in white coats diagnosing and treating a variety of health problems. While this image is accurate for medical professionals, a popular misperception persists: Dentists are not regarded as “real” doctors. This could not be further from the truth. In this blog article, we’ll look at why dentists are physicians and why their job is so important in the realm of healthcare.

Doctoral Degrees: The Basis

First and foremost, it is critical to understand that both medical physicians and dentists receive doctoral degrees. Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees are awarded to medical professionals, whereas dentists receive a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. These are all PhD degrees that represent the completion of extensive academic and clinical training.

The “doctor” in “dentist” refers to their doctorate degree, emphasizing the substantial education and training necessary for their profession. This alone should disprove the misconception that dentists are not true doctors.

Practice Area: Oral Health Experts

The scope of practice is the next important factor to examine. Medical experts diagnose and treat a wide variety of health problems that impact the entire body, from head to toe. Dentists, on the other hand, are experts in the field of oral health. They are professionals in the diagnosis and treatment of dental, gum, and oral cavity problems.

Dentists are in charge of oral hygiene, tooth decay, gum disease treatment, and operations such as root canals, tooth extractions, and cosmetic dental work. Their field of practice is limited, yet that does not diminish their importance in healthcare.

Partnership and Holistic Care

Oral health is intertwined with general wellness. Numerous studies have found a link between dental health and systemic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory issues. Dentists play an important role in recognizing and controlling oral health disorders that can have an influence on their patients’ overall well-being.

Collaboration between medical physicians and dentists is frequently required for delivering comprehensive healthcare. Patients with specific medical disorders, for example, may require antibiotics prior to dental treatments to avoid infection-related complications. This highlights the significance of both professions collaborating to ensure that patients receive complete treatment.

The Final Word

Finally, dentists are doctors as well, and their contribution to healthcare is vital. They have had considerable education and training, earned doctorates, and are specialists in the field of oral health. The distinction in their designation, whether DMD or DDS, has no bearing on their credentials or the significance of their job.

Rather than putting various types of doctors against one another, it’s critical to acknowledge that both medical doctors and dentists contribute to patients’ well-being. They establish a healthcare ecosystem that serves individuals’ different health demands. When you go to the dentist, you can be certain that you are in the capable hands of a devoted healthcare expert who is, without a doubt, a doctor in their own right. It’s past time to debunk the myth and recognize dentists as valuable members of the medical community.

April 4 2023

Dentistry & Alzheimer’s: Remember to Floss!

When it comes to health, we frequently consider our bodies to be a collection of discrete systems, each with its own set of guidelines and upkeep needs. Newer studies, however, are illuminating the complex relationships between many facets of human wellbeing. The relationship between dental health and Alzheimer’s disease is one such connection that has lately attracted attention. It turns out that maintaining the condition of your teeth and gums may benefit your brain. Thus, remember to floss! We’ll look at the intriguing link between dental health and Alzheimer’s in this blog article.

Oral-Systemic Relationship

In the world of medicine, the idea of the oral-systemic relationship is becoming more widely accepted. It acknowledges the tight connection between your overall body’s health and the condition of your mouth. Systemic inflammation is an established risk factor for a number of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease, and is linked to poor dental health conditions such as periodontitis or gingivitis.

Alcohol and inflammation

Alzheimer’s is a neurological disease that worsens over time and impacts behavior, memory, and cognitive function. While the specific etiology is still unknown, inflammation is thought to be a key factor in the growth and development of the condition. Two characteristic hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, tau tangles and beta-amyloid plaques, are linked to neuroinflammation, or chronic inflammation in the brain.

Systemic inflammation in other regions of the body, such as that brought on by gum disease, can increase the inflammation in the brain. Neuroinflammation may occur as a result of this systemic inflammation, which may also set off an immunological reaction.

Study Results

Numerous investigations have examined the connection between Alzheimer’s disease and dental health. Although further study is required to demonstrate a clear causal link, the following results are intriguing:

Bacterial Link: Research has shown that some oral bacteria,such as Phyromonas gingivalis, are present in Alzheimer’s sufferers’ brains. It is possible that oral bacteria might enter the brain and exacerbate neuroinflammation.

Inflammatory Markers: An increased risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease has been connected to elevated blood levels of inflammatory markers, which are frequently linked to gum disease.

Tooth Loss: Studies have indicated a relationship between cognitive performance and the quantity of teeth that remain in old age. Alzheimer’s disease risk is often lower in people who have more teeth left.

Preventative Actions

Keeping your mouth healthy is important for your brain as well as your teeth and gums. Consider the following preventative actions:

Brush and Floss: Brush and floss your teeth twice a day to maintain healthy oral hygiene.

2.Regular Dental Check-Ups: Schedule routine cleanings and examinations with your dentist.

Well-Balanced Diet: A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and nutrients promotes good oral and mental health as well as general wellness.

Hydration: Maintaining enough hydration promotes salivary flow, which helps wash the mouth and lowers the risk of oral infections.

Stop Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of systemic inflammation and gum disease.

Manage Chronic Conditions: Taking good care of your heart disease or diabetes will lower your chance of developing gum disease.

To sum up

The relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and dental health serves as a reminder of the intricate web of connections that makes up our body. Maintaining good dental health may benefit your overall cognitive well-being. Therefore, keep in mind that you can be doing your brain a favor as you reach for your toothbrush and floss instead of simply your beautiful teeth. It’s an easy and efficient method to promote your general health and maybe lower your long-term risk of cognitive deterioration.

August 8 2022

Dental Care in Colonial Times: A Glimpse into Historical Tooth Troubles

When we think about dental care in modern times, we often take for granted the conveniences of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and regular check-ups with a dentist. However, if we were to turn back the clock to the colonial era in America, we’d find that dental hygiene was a far cry from what we know today. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of dental care during colonial times and gain a better appreciation for our current oral health practices.

No Toothpaste, No Problem?

In colonial times, the concept of toothpaste as we understand it was virtually non-existent. People would resort to various homemade mixtures to clean their teeth. These mixtures often included abrasive substances like crushed eggshells, crushed oyster shells, or even ground tobacco leaves. Imagine brushing your teeth with tobacco today! Thankfully, the abrasive action of these substances could help remove some surface stains and debris, but they couldn’t prevent cavities or gum disease.

Toothbrushes: A Luxury for the Wealthy

While toothbrushes were used in some parts of the world, they were scarce in colonial America. Those who had access to toothbrushes typically came from wealthier backgrounds and could afford the imported bristle brushes. Others had to get creative, using twigs with frayed ends or rough cloths to clean their teeth. These makeshift toothbrushes may have helped somewhat, but they were nowhere near as effective as the modern toothbrushes we use today.

Dental Remedies and Folk Medicine

Colonial Americans turned to a variety of home remedies and folk medicine to address toothaches and dental problems. Common treatments included chewing herbs like mint and parsley, applying mustard plasters to the cheeks, or even using urine as a mouthwash (urine was believed to have cleaning properties). Clearly, dental care has come a long way in terms of both effectiveness and comfort.

Tooth Extractions: A Painful Necessity

When dental issues became unbearable, the most common solution was to extract the offending tooth. Dentists of the time, often referred to as “tooth drawers,” would use crude instruments like pliers or forceps to pull teeth. These extractions were often excruciatingly painful, and without the benefits of anesthesia, patients had to grit their teeth and bear the pain.

Sugar and Decay

The colonists’ diet also played a significant role in their dental health. Sugar, in the form of molasses, maple syrup, and honey, was abundant, and consumption was high. The lack of proper dental care and the high-sugar diet led to rampant tooth decay, often resulting in severe tooth loss. It’s no wonder that dental issues were a common problem during that era.

The Barber-Dentist Connection

Dentistry was not a distinct profession during colonial times. Instead, barbers often took on the role of tooth extraction and other dental procedures. This dual occupation may sound strange today, but it was common in those times. Barbers would also perform bloodletting and minor surgeries, showcasing their versatility in medical matters.

A Glimpse into the Past

As we reflect on the state of dental care in colonial times, it’s clear that we’ve come a long way in our understanding of oral health and hygiene. We owe much of our current dental knowledge and practices to the advances made over the centuries. The next time you brush your teeth or visit your dentist, you can appreciate the significant strides that have been made in the world of dental care since the colonial era.

Today, we are fortunate to have access to modern dentistry, with advanced techniques, tools, and knowledge that prioritize our oral health and overall well-being. Remembering the challenges and discomfort endured by those in colonial times can serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of taking good care of our teeth and gums in the present day.