Oral Health

The best part about a New Year’s Resolution for a healthy mouth is that it can be an easy goal to accomplish. Whether you are already practicing good oral hygiene or know you need to make changes to better support your oral hygiene, there are usually new ways to improve the health of your mouth. A great time for oral hygiene is at the New Year! Tooth Brushing:Stick to brushing twice a day for two minutes each session in order […]

Your oral cavity is just waiting to savor all of the treats that are so enjoyed over the holiday season. Pies, cakes and sweetening pastries are just some of the favorites that most people look forward to over the holidays. Just as people are ready to enjoy such treats, so are bacterial microbes in our mouths, such as S. mutans that indulge in sugar to deliver sticky, white plaque with the aid of glucans and acid that tantalize the enamel […]

When it comes to food causes for bad breath, it could be sulfur compounds from garlic and onion that are expelled when you exhale which create bad breath. According to Lisa Harper Mallonee, MPH, RD, associate professor at Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, “Garlic and onions top the list when it comes to halitosis.” Perhaps, it is coffee and alcohol which trigger bad bacteria growth and inhibit saliva flow, creating the environment for foul smells in […]

There are many ways that the right dietary lifestyle can defy bacteria, remove cavity causing plaque build up, strengthen enamel and rejuvenate your breath. Check out a few of the foods that are great for your oral health. After all, it’s important. Your oral health cannot be ignored! Green Tea: Green tea kills off bacteria which create sugar that leads to plaque build up- a cause for cavities. By drinking 3 to 5 cups of green tea a day, you […]

Yes, there are ways that can help you stay away from your dentist. It’s true. And it’s worthwhile to explore because any more visits that semi- annual cleanings can be difficult at best. So, let’s get right down to the nitty gritty. Go for the Simple Check Ups. One sure fire way to cut down on the number of times you have to see your dentist is to go for your semi annual dental cleanings.  P.S. If you have fear of […]

Gum disease currently affects eight out of ten people; however, symptoms often go unnoticed, leading Surgeon General David Satcher to call it the “silent epidemic.” To ensure our patients win the battle against gum disease, our Austin dentists use the latest innovation in gum protection: Perio Protect^®. In a recent study, this new, minimally invasive method of gum protection was shown to kill virtually all of the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease. Whether we’re protecting our patients with Perio […]

That’s right. According to a report published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in May 2010, people can significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease if they brush their teeth twice daily. Previous studies have already demonstrated the link between cardiovascular disease and gum disease (periodontal disease). It has also been well documented that inflammation of the gums and mouth, which may be undetectable to individuals, is a significant contributor to plaque that can limit blood flow and block arteries. […]

Eating disorders are medical conditions that are diagnosed and treated by physicians, psychologists and other medical professionals. However, dentists can also play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of several types of eating disorders. For example, bulimia and anorexia are both characterized by self induced vomiting. Since the substances in the digestive system are highly acidic and can attack the teeth when vomiting, symptoms of eating disorders can become very apparent on your teeth and to your dentist, including: […]

Why is fluoride important? Fluoride helps to keep the teeth looking bright and shiny by fighting off plaque and bacteria that dissolve tooth enamel (outer shiny tooth surface) and cause tooth decay. Fluoride can also improve slight tooth decay. It’s powerful ammunition in the battle against tooth decay. Is the fluoride contained in water enough to help prevent tooth decay and tooth enamel loss? Fluorinated water is provided in the tap water of many communities. Your dentist will know about […]

Oral health is particularly important for people that are diabetic.  As you know from your elementary school days, sugar adversely affects the health of teeth. Now we are beginning to understand that there is an irrefutable link between diabetes and oral health for the almost 24 million diabetics in America. Oral health studies have shown that diabetes increases the likelihood of contracting gum disease (link to story). If you contract gum disease, your teeth may pull away from the gums, […]