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Poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. But by changing certain habits, you can improve the health of your mouth and teeth and lessen your risk. By Clare Kittredge Medically Reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD How well you care for your teeth and gums has a powerful effect on your overall health. Neglecting your oral health lead to more than just sore teeth and bad breath — it can open the door to all sorts of health problems, including some pretty nasty diseases like oral cancer. Researchers have found possible connections between gum problems and heart disease, bacterial pneumonia, stroke, and even problem pregnancies. “You cannot be healthy with an unhealthy mouth any more than one can be healthy with an infected foot,” says Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA) and a former clinical instructor at the Boston University Dental School. The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Oral Health A number of dietary habits and lifestyle factors can affect oral health, including: Sugar consumption. “Having a sugar-laden diet will contribute to tooth decay and gum problems, as the bacteria in the mouth thrive in this environment,” […]

It’s no secret that smoking is bad for your overall health but using tobacco products can have serious consequences on your oral health, too. By Connie Brichford Medically Reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH In addition to affecting your overall health, tobacco use and smoking can cause a number of oral health issues, ranging from oral cancer to discolored teeth. “You can get yellow teeth [and] a yellow tongue,” says Thomas Kilgore, DMD, professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery and associate dean at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. “You see a lot of staining on the tongue.” Smoking and tobacco use can lead to more serious oral health complications as well, including gum disease and oral cancer. Smoking and Oral Cancer “The most serious issue is mouth cancer,” Dr. Kilgore says. “It’s hard to say what percentage of people who smoke will get mouth cancer, but the death rate of those who do get it is high — between 40 and 50 percent of all cases, and that hasn’t changed over the last few decades.” The American Cancer Society estimates that 90 percent of people with oral cancer (cancer affecting the lips, tongue, throat, and […]

Brushing your teeth is not enough to maintain good oral health over time. Flossing should be a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. By Connie Brichford Medically Reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH Cleaning the spaces between your teeth and along your gums with dental floss is as important to your oral health as cleaning your teeth with a toothbrush. Just like you brush your teeth every day, flossing should be part of your daily routine. To better understand why flossing is so important, Richard H. Price, DMD, spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA) and a former clinical instructor at Boston University Dental School, compares it to cleaning your home: “You cannot effectively vacuum a house with only one attachment,” he says. “You need other attachments to get into the nooks and crannies. That’s what floss does.” The Benefits of Flossing to Your Oral Health There are many benefits to regularly flossing your teeth. Dental floss can help clear food debris and plaque from the spaces between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. As a result, flossing helps prevent gum or periodontal diseases, tooth decay, and bad breath. There are certain things to keep in mind to […]

A stroll down the drugstore dental-care aisle can be dizzying, especially with all the mouth rinse products available. By Connie Brichford Medically Reviewed by Pat F. Bass, III, MD, MPH Anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis, alcohol-free — your pharmacy’s oral health section has dozens of mouth rinse products to choose from, all promising to protect your teeth and gums and freshen your breath. But how can you know which claims are true? And do you really need to use a mouth rinse — or is good brushing and flossing enough? “There are three major categories [of mouth rinses], from a consumer perspective,” says Michelle Henshaw, DDS, MPH and assistant dean for community partnerships and extramural affairs at Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. These include mouth rinse products that contain fluoride, anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque mouth rinses, and cosmetic mouth rinse products. Some of these mouth rinses are available over-the-counter; others will require a prescription. Here’s what you should know when shopping for a mouth rinse. Fluoride-Containing Mouth Rinses Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by helping your body strengthen enamel — the white, harder-than-bone substance that covers teeth. But most people will not require fluoride-containing mouth rinses, says Dr. Henshaw. “You […]

Try these foods to help build strong teeth and healthy gums By Anne L. Fritz What you eat affects your mouth not only by building healthier teeth and gums, but also by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Learn how to eat the best diet for your teeth, including the foods to eat, beverages to drink, and what to avoid. What you eat affects your mouth not only by building healthier teeth and gums, but also by helping prevent tooth decay and gum disease. While a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and unsaturated fats will benefit your overall oral health, there are a few standout foods and nutrients that can really boost it. Teeth and Calcium Mom said it when you were in grade school, and she was right on this one: Drinking milk builds strong bones and teeth. Calcium is vital in childhood and through your teens, when teeth are formed, but the value of this nutrient doesn’t stop once you get your wisdom teeth. A diet with adequate calcium may prevent against tooth decay, says Dr. Leonard Anglis, DDS. When a diet is low in calcium, as a majority of Americans’ […]

Healthy mouth, healthy body: The link between them may surprise you. By Kate Lowenstein The condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall health. Find out how oral health is linked to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more. Taking care of your teeth isn’t just about having a nice smile and pleasant breath. Recent research has found a number of links between oral health and overall health. While in many cases, the nature of this link still isn’t clear — researchers have yet to conclude whether the connections are causal or correlative — what is certain is that the condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall physical health. Oral Health and Diabetes Doctors have known for years that type 2 diabetics have an increased incidence of periodontitis, or gum disease. In July 2008 the connection was further highlighted: Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health followed 9,296 nondiabetic participants, measuring their level of periodontic bacteria over the course of 20 years. “We found that people who had higher levels of periodontal disease had a twofold risk of developing type 2 diabetes over that time period compared to people with low levels or no […]

Experts say that your oral health could clue you in to the condition of your heart — so listen up! Here’s what you should know about the links between your teeth, gums, and ticker. By Marie Suszynski | Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH You brush, floss, and follow all your dentist’s commandments for healthy teeth and gums (kudos!). But did you know that those mouth-healthy habits may ultimately keep your heart healthy, too? Research has found a surprising number of links between the state of your mouth and your heart. In fact, we now know that people who develop gum disease (either gingivitis, a milder form that results in inflammation and infection of the gums, or periodontitis, which develops when the inflammation and infection spread below the gum line) are nearly twice at risk for heart disease. And in one study of 320 adults — half with heart disease — researchers found that these participants were also more likely to have gum disease, bleeding gums, and tooth loss. What’s the connection? Researchers are still figuring that out. Can Gum Disease Give You a Heart Attack? “There is a very logical reason why the two may be connected,” says […]

The filthy truth? Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs. But fear not, say experts — just know when it’s time to give yours the old heave-ho. By Beth W. Orenstein Medically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH Do you know how many bacteria live on your toothbrush? Brace yourself! Researchers have found that a single toothbrush can be loaded with as many as 10 million germs and bacteria. In fact, recent studies even found that your toothbrush could be a breeding ground for tiny microorganisms. But before you swear off brushing, know this: These bacteria aren’t a big threat to your pearly whites. According to Richard Price, DMD, a dentist in Newton, Mass. and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, the researchers who discovered those toothbrush-dwelling microorganisms found that they didn’t make people sick — toothpaste has an anti-germ component built into it, and the microbes need moisture to survive. So as long as your toothbrush is given time to dry after you use it, it should be safe. Squeaky-Clean Toothbrush Tips To take care of your teeth and your toothbrush, it’s important to use your toothbrush the way you’re supposed to, rinse it in tap […]

The last teeth to develop can cause havoc for the rest of your healthy mouth. Yet there’s growing controversy about whether we really need to have them taken out. By Regina Boyle Wheeler | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH Just as you enter adulthood, your wisdom teeth make their presence known in the far reaches of your mouth. Wisdom teeth — officially the third molars — are the last set of teeth to come in, usually between 17 and 25 years of age, in the so-called “age of wisdom.” For some, these teeth come in fine. For many others, wisdom teeth don’t come in properly (if at all), are vulnerable to disease, and need to be removed to protect a healthy mouth. It’s estimated that 95 percent of American 18-year-olds “have wisdom teeth, and most of them have little if any chance to function in a normal manner,” says Louis Rafetto, DMD, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Wilmington, Del. So if wisdom teeth are virtually useless in millions of mouths, why do we have them? One theory lies in the mouths of our ancestors. Early humans needed an extra row of teeth to chew their […]

Ask for screening as part of your general checkup, experts say. By Robert Preidt, HealthDay News SATURDAY, April 7, 2012 (HealthDay News) — Not only do regular dental exams help keep your teeth and gums healthy, they can help detect oral cancer, the Academy of General Dentistry says. As part of Oral Cancer Awareness Month in April, the group recommends that people get a dental exam from a general dentist every six months. “The next time you visit your dentist, ask about an oral cancer screening,” academy spokesperson Dr. Seung-Hee Rhee advised in an academy news release. “Your dentist will feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, cheeks, and oral cavity and thoroughly examine the soft tissues in your mouth, specifically looking for any sores or discolored tissues. Although you may have already been receiving this screening from your dentist, it’s a good idea to confirm that this screening is a part, and will remain a part, of your regular exam,” Rhee said. Each year in the United States, more than 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed, and more than 8,000 people die of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and […]

Good dental hygiene can keep your mind sharp. Find out more health benefits below. By Huffington Post Editors There are benefits to keeping your pearly whites so, well, pearly white that go beyond having a picture-perfect smile. According to a recent study from the University of California, daily brushing is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia later on, Reuters reported. Read Full Article Here  

Reason for link between teeth, gums and heart health is still unclear, researcher says. By Robert Preidt, HealthDay News THURSDAY, March 7, 2013 (HealthDay News) — For adults, losing teeth is bad enough, but tooth loss is also associated with several risk factors for heart disease, a large international study suggests. These heart disease-related risk factors include diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and smoking. For the study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 16,000 people in 39 countries who provided information about their remaining number of teeth and the frequency of gum bleeds. About 40 percent of the participants had fewer than 15 teeth and 16 percent had no teeth, while 25 percent reported gum bleeds. For every decrease in the number of teeth, there was an increase in the levels of a harmful enzyme that promotes inflammation and hardening of the arteries. The study authors also noted that along with fewer teeth came increases in other heart disease risk markers, including “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and higher blood sugar, blood pressure and waist size. People with fewer teeth were also more likely to have diabetes, with the risk increasing 11 percent for every significant decrease in the number of teeth, […]

Maintaining good oral health is important to your overall health as well. Learn what to expect from a basic dental checkup. By Krisha McCoy Medically Reviewed by Pat F. Bass, III, MD, MPH In addition to daily brushing and flossing, you can help protect your oral health by seeing your dentist regularly for checkups. It’s recommended that most people get a dental checkup every six months, but your dentist may recommend more frequent or fewer visits, depending on your dental health history. The Dental Checkup: What to Expect In most cases, a dental hygienist and dentist will perform your dental checkup. Not every dentist operates the same way, but a dental checkup typically involves: Cleaning and polishing. Your dental hygienist will use a special instrument called a hand scaler or ultrasonic dental instrument to scrape and remove the tartar from your teeth. He or she will then polish your teeth, often with a rotating rubber cup or brush, to remove any remaining plaque or stains. Education. After the cleaning, your hygienist or dentist will discuss any dental hygiene problems that were detected, and show you how to brush and floss more effectively, if necessary. Examination. Both your dental hygienist and […]

Dental X-rays are often part of a regular dental checkup. Learn how they help your dentist to monitor your oral health. By Krisha McCoy, MS | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH Depending on your oral health history and your dentist’s preferences, you will probably need to have dental X-rays taken from time to time. Dental X-rays allow your dentist to more closely monitor the health of your teeth and gums, so that changes and problems can be detected early, when treatment is most effective. What Are Dental X-rays? Dental X-rays are special images that allow your dentist to get a closer look at some of the structures inside your mouth, including your teeth, the roots of your teeth, your bite, and your facial bones. The process involves placing an X-ray film in a piece of cardboard or plastic, which your dentist will ask you to bite down on to hold the film against the area he or she wants the X-ray to capture. Depending on how many angles or areas of your mouth your dentist wants to see on X-ray, this may be repeated several times. While the X-ray pictures are being captured, you will wear […]

Dental care is especially important during pregnancy. Let your dentist know you’re pregnant, so proper screening and treatment guidelines can be followed. By Krisha McCoy Medically Reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH Carrying a child affects your entire body — and that goes for your mouth, too. Since your teeth and gums can be affected by the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, you’ll need to pay special attention to your dental health when you’re pregnant. In addition, there are a few extra safety measures you will need to be sure are followed when going to the dentist. Here’s how to stay on top of your dental care when you’re expecting. How Pregnancy Affects Your Dental Health Problems that women may experience with their teeth and mouth during pregnancy include: Pregnancy gingivitis. Increased levels of the hormone progesterone can result in gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums. This, along with pregnancy-related changes in your immune system, can cause your gums to become red and swollen, and you may experience bleeding when you brush or floss your teeth. Symptoms of pregnancy gingivitis usually go away after the baby is born. Periodontal disease. Some pregnant women experience a more serious dental […]

Are you grinding your teeth at night? The condition, called bruxism, can be a painful problem if it goes untreated. By Wyatt Myers | Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH You may not even know you’re doing it. But if you wake in the morning with jaw pain, headaches, or chipped enamel on your teeth, you might be grinding your teeth in your sleep, a condition called bruxism. Understanding Bruxism In most instances, teeth grinding is a nighttime problem – if you have bruxism, you’re likely doing it while you’re asleep and might not realize it. “Many times, someone’s spouse or partner is the first one to notice the bruxism due to the terrible grinding sounds it makes when the person is sleeping,” says Timothy Chase, DMD, a cosmetic dentist in New York City. Researchers still aren’t exactly sure why bruxism occurs in some people, but there are a number of theories. “Studies have suggested that nocturnal bruxism is mediated by the central nervous system and is linked to sleep arousal patterns, brain chemistry, certain drugs, alcohol, smoking, and genetic factors,” says Karyn Kahn, DDS, a dentist with the Cleveland Clinic. “Medications, such as SSRIs that affect […]

If left untreated, this oral health problem can damage more than your gums. Gum disease has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke and other health problems. By Lynn Yoffee Medically Reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic infection that can result in a number of health problems, from mild inflammation to severe gum damage to tooth loss, if left untreated. In addition, gum disease can affect your overall health, and has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Gum disease develops in the space between your gum line and your teeth. It causes tissue inflammation and damage that can eventually cause your gums to recede. The severity of gum disease is determined by the depth of the excess space, or so-called “pockets,” that form as your gum tissue recedes. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 80 percent of adults in the United States have some degree of gum disease. Types of Gum Disease Gum disease is classified as either gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is reversible with treatment. But it can also […]

Proper dental care can prevent this common gum disease. By Lynn Yoffee Medically Reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH If your gums are irritated and frequently bleed, you may have gum disease, also called periodontal disease. There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis reflects mild to moderate inflammation of your gums (or gingiva). Without proper dental care, it can progress into a more serious condition, called periodontitis, which can result in tooth loss and destruction of the jaw bone. There is also evidence that untreated gum disease can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. But by practicing good oral hygiene — brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and getting regular dental checkups and cleanings — you can prevent gingivitis and other more serious oral health problems. Causes of Gingivitis Gingivitis typically results from poor dental care. Plaque, a substance that develops from bacteria, mucus, and food particles, can stick to your teeth, causing tooth decay. Without regular dental care to remove plaque buildup, it will harden into tartar and sticks to the base of your teeth. Both plaque and tartar lead to gingivitis. In addition to poor dental care, other causes of gingivitis include […]

You may be surprised to learn that gum infections can lead to serious health consequences, including heart disease, diabetes, and more. By Lynn Yoffee Medically Reviewed by Pat F. Bass, III, MD, MPH You know you need to take care of your oral health for your teeth’s sake — but did you know it’s also for your heart, your brain — and your whole body? Research shows that if you have an infection in your mouth, it can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and even pregnancy complications. For years, healthcare professionals suspected there was a link between oral infections and some medical conditions, but they thought this was because bacteria from the mouth made its way to other parts of the body. But now studies are showing that the inflammation found in periodontal, or gum, disease may play a more specific role in causing or increasing the risk for certain conditions. Oral Health and Overall Health Poor oral health can cause these serious health problems: Heart disease. Researchers have found that long-term periodontitis, an infection of the gums, can lead to coronary heart disease or atherogenesis, a condition in which plaque forms in your arteries. In […]