Smoking Affects Oral Health

In addition to increasing your risk of many health conditions, smoking can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Smokers are about twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers, according to two 30-year studies at Tufts University that investigated the relationship between smoking and tooth loss. Another study cited in the Journal of Dental Research shows that cigarette smokers are nearly twice as likely as non-smokers to need root canal treatment.

While most people are aware of the impact tobacco use has on their overall health, some might not consider its effects on oral health. Smoking increases risk of mouth pain, cavities, gum recession, gum (periodontal) disease and tooth loss. In fact, an estimated 50 percent of adults who smoke have gum disease.

In addition to increasing your risk for gum disease and tooth loss, smoking increases your risk for oral cancer. Although oral cancer can occur in any age group, it most often occurs in people over 40 years of age. See a dentist immediately if you notice any red or white patches on your gums, tongue or other oral tissues, and watch for sores that fail to heal within two weeks. Unfortunately, oral cancer is often difficult to detect in its early stages, when it can be cured more easily. Your dentist should perform a head and neck exam to screen for signs of cancer at your regular checkups.

The good news is that the risk of tooth loss decreases after you quit smoking. To help you kick the habit, your dentist may prescribe a variety of nicotine replacement therapies, such as a transdermal nicotine patch (worn for 24 hours over several weeks with a dissipating flow of nicotine) or chewing gum (which is slowly chewed every one to two hours and then discarded).

Source: Academy of General Dentistry

When it comes to local dentists, Dr. Gary Feucht is “the best friend your teeth will ever have.” If you are trying to find a dentist in Plymouth, Cantonor Northville who utilizes the latest dental techniques and technology, be sure to check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.

Maintaining Your Dental Health As You Age

Good oral health habits and a healthy lifestyle can help keep gums healthy and smiles bright for a lifetime. Following are some things we need to pay special attention to ensure dental health as we grow older.

An important thing to remember is that gum disease—and not the aging process—is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue and bone that support the teeth and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Most adults show some signs of gum disease.

Although decay may occur in any area of the tooth, as you age decay is more likely to develop around old fillings or in the softer root of the tooth that is exposed as gums recede.

Recent research has shown that the health of your gums may have a connection to some chronic diseases. Having periodontal (gum) disease has been linked to and may be a risk factor in developing Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease or diabetes.

Experiencing tooth pain or other oral problems may affect your ability to eat nutritious food. Visit your dentist right away if you are experiencing any tooth pain, jaw pain, mouth sores or other oral discomfort that interferes with your ability to eat.

Good oral care goes a long way in keeping your mouth healthy as you mature. Developing a simple daily routine of brushing, flossing and eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is just as important for older adults as it is for younger adults.

Flossing your teeth can help keep your gums strong and prevent plaque from building up between teeth. Make sure to floss at least once a day, preferably before bed, to clean the places where a toothbrush can’t reach.

Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are an important part of maintaining good dental health as you age. Your dentist can diagnose and treat dental health problems before they become serious.

When it comes to local dentists, Dr. Gary Feucht is “the best friend your teeth will ever have.” If you are trying to find a dentist in Plymouth, Cantonor Northville who utilizes the latest dental techniques and technology, be sure to check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.

Tooth Whitening Options from Dr. Feucht

If you’re embarrassed to smile because of teeth coloration, it may be time for you to whiten your teeth. There is no reason to suffer embarrassment because of the shade of your teeth. You can whiten your teeth—up to nine shades lighter.

Dr. Feucht offers a number of whitening options for his patients. Most whitening methods are considered safe, especially if performed under dental supervision.

We offer everything from a one-hour, in-office procedure to an at-home version that works more gradually, taking about two weeks. Some of our patients are busy and want to go back to work with a gleaming smile, while others have more time available to them.

The popular LumiBrite/Sapphire™ Professional Whitening System is a gentle, safe and effective professional whitening method that produces whitening results in as little as 30 minutes of treatment time.

We also offer tooth “lightening” treatments with MI Paste.  This simple, minimal intervention technique is especially effective in reversing “white spots” patients often ask us about. MI Paste strengthens tooth enamel by replenishing calcium and phosphate in saliva, and helps ease dry mouth as well.

We are happy to answer your tooth whitening questions anytime.

Dr. Gary Feucht is “the best friend your teeth will ever have.” If you are looking for a dentist in the Plymouth, Canton, Northville area who utilizes the latest dental techniques and technology, be sure to check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.

Make Flossing a New Year’s Resolution

If you’ve been lax about flossing your teeth, make 2012 the year you incorporate regular flossing into your dental care routine.  

Gum disease begins at the gum line and between teeth. Daily flossing is an important part of your oral health care routine to help remove the plaque from these areas where a toothbrush doesn’t completely reach. But to truly reap the benefits, you need to use proper flossing technique. 

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association explains the key elements of proper flossing technique in four simple steps: Wind, Guide, Glide and Slide. 

• Wind 18 inches of floss around middle fingers of each hand. Pinch floss between thumbs and index fingers, leaving a one- to two-inch length in between. Use thumbs to direct floss between upper teeth.
• Keep a one- to two-inch length of floss taut between fingers. Use index fingers to guide floss between contacts of the lower teeth.
• Gently guide floss between the teeth by using a zig-zag motion. Do not snap floss between your teeth. Contour floss around the side of the tooth.
• Slide floss up and down against the tooth surface and under the gum line. Floss each tooth thoroughly with a clean section of floss. 

This technique applies to any type of floss: waxed, unwaxed, spongy floss or dental tape. It doesn’t matter whether you start with your upper or lower teeth, or whether you start in the front or the back. Just make sure that you floss all your teeth, including the back side of the very last tooth on the left, right, top and bottom of your mouth. And don’t forget to floss under the gum line and along the sides of teeth that border any spaces where teeth are missing—food particles can become trapped in these spaces. 

Dr. Gary Feucht is “the best friend your teeth will ever have.” If you are looking for a dentist in the Plymouth, Canton, Northville area who utilizes the latest dental techniques and technology, be sure to check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.

Perfect Teeth are Not Everyone’s Goal

Americans are expected to spend nearly $110 billion in 2012 to straighten, whiten and repair less-than-perfect teeth. In Japan, however, some women are paying dentists to purposely disarrange their straight teeth.  

When teeth are too crowded, the result is “snaggleteeth” or “fangs,” a look that is commonly derided in the U.S. In Japan, the look is called “yaeba,” Japanese for “double tooth.” What’s behind the trend is the fact that some Japanese men find the look attractive because it shows a girl is not perfect, making her more approachable. So some women are actually paying dentists to create artificially crooked teeth by affixing plastic fronts to their real teeth.  

Here in the U.S., perfect, straight, picket-fence teeth are considered beautiful. If you live in Plymouth, Canton or Northville and are looking for a dentist experienced in the latest cosmetic dentistry techniques, check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.

 

Smiling Can Mean a Healthier Life

It’s a brand new year, so why not try to make it a healthier one? Smiling more just might be the key. In a recent study of more than 6,000 adults over 50, researchers found that those with sunny dispositions had a significantly reduced risk of stroke. When you are optimistic, you tend to make healthier choices about diet and exercise, according to scientists. Some findings also suggest positive thinking has a direct influence on how well your body works. 

A growing body of evidence shows that staying positive may help prevent heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. If you’re the type of person who tends to “see the glass half full,” your positive thinking may boost your mood, immune system and longevity. Try these exercises on for size: 

Shift one perspective at a time—Focus on a part of your life that you tend to cast in an unfavorable light, such as your daily commute. Instead of working yourself into a tizzy sitting in traffic, use the time to listen to a favorite radio station, books on tape or music you love.  

Allow yourself to laugh—Let loose with laughter, especially during difficult times. It will cut down on stress and may even help protect against heart attacks. 

Surround yourself with happy people—Who needs a Debby Downer for a friend? Upbeat friends will rub off on you. 

Give your negative thoughts a positive spin—When a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and give it a positive twist.  

If you’re looking for the right dentist in the Plymouth, Canton, Northville area, Dr. Gary Feucht has been helping patients achieve their best smiles with cosmetic dentistry, including porcelain veneers and LUMINEERS for a number of years. Check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.

Foods That Promote Healthy Teeth

What you eat can help you keep your teeth. Antioxidants and other nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts improve your body’s ability to fight bacteria and inflammation, helping to protect your teeth and gums.

Some foods may actually help defend against tooth decay in special ways. For instance, recent studies have indicated that fresh cranberries interrupt the bonding of oral bacteria before they can form damaging plaque.

Other foods that have beneficial effects on oral health include:

Calcium-fortified juices, milk and other dairy products, which are rich in calcium and Vitamin D, help promote healthy teeth and bones, and reduce the risk for tooth loss.

Cheese unleashes a burst of calcium that mixes with plaque and sticks to the teeth, protecting them from the acid that causes decay and helping to rebuild tooth enamel on the spot.

Cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts, and milk are also thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to re-mineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are re-deposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids).

Firm/crunchy fruits and raw vegetables like apples, pears, carrots and celery, help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain, and stimulate the flow of saliva (which helps protect against decay by washing away food particles and buffering acid). Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and lemons, should be eaten as part of a larger meal to minimize the acid from them.

When it comes to local dentists, Dr. Gary Feucht is “the best friend your teeth will ever have.” If you are trying to find a dentist in Plymouth, Canton or Northville who utilizes the latest dental techniques and technology, be sure to check out Dr. Gary Feucht at www.plymouthdentistry.com and give us a call at (734) 459-7110.