Is Dark Chocolate Good for Your Teeth?

So how, exactly, is dark chocolate good for your teeth? There's a bacterium in your mouth called oral streptococci, which produces acid that eats away at your tooth enamel. The antioxidants in dark chocolate prevent the bacteria from turning into damaging acids by acting as a sort of antibacterial compound. Also, the cocoa butter coats your teeth and prevents plaque from sticking to them.

Because chocolate has tons of antioxidants (about four times that of green tea), it can not only inhibit the production of plaque but also reduce inflammation in the body and work to prevent periodontal disease, a symptom of which is swelling of the gums. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also enter the bloodstream and cause heart disease and other cardiovascular problems, so periodically consuming dark chocolate is beneficial to your heart health as well.

It's important to remember, however, that munching on a piece of dark chocolate is not like downing a plateful of veggies. It has some important health benefits, but it's far from a healthy food. Like any confection, dark chocolate should be consumed in moderation. It still contains ample amounts of sugar and fat, each of which comes with its own set of health issues. Also, like all chocolates, dark chocolate isn't exactly low in calories. The recommended intake is 1 ounce per day, which is equal to about six Hershey Kisses (don't worry, they're available in a dark variety). Even this small amount, however, contains as many as 150 calories, and since it tastes so good, it's hard not to indulge.

So get your hands (and teeth) on some dark chocolate today to enjoy what is arguably the most delicious but still beneficial food on the planet. Just remember to practice portion control so the health risks associated with an expanding waistline don't overshadow the benefits to your pearly whites.

Source: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/dark-chocolate-good-for-teeth1.htm

The Unexpected Benefits
of Good Dental Hygiene

Source: Babble

Have you brushed, flossed, and rinsed yet this morning? If not, I promise that you will want to after reading this post. If so, you will probably want to grab your toothbrush and do it again.
Good oral care is not just important for being able to flash those big pearly whites and for staying out of the dentist’s chair. While it is necessary for keeping those cavities at bay, it’s important to know that oral care is also absolutely vital to your overall health. Keeping your mouth clean and healthy substantially decreases your risk of developing complications and disease.

Growing up with a dentist in the family, it was instilled in me early on that brushing, flossing, and rinsing twice daily is super important, but I never truly understood the deep connection between dental care and our overall health. After learning more I will be darn sure to instill those same habits in my children from the get-go. Here are 8 reasons why you need to maintain good dental hygiene and why you too might want to get your kids in the habit of having a good brushing, flossing, and rinsing routine:

Guard against oral cancer

 

HPV has been in the news a lot lately, thanks to Michael Douglas and public conversation about the HPV vaccine. About 60% of oral cancers are linked to the human papilloma virus. In addition to sexually transmitted diseases, poor oral health is also a risk factor for oral HPV infection, and therefore could contribute to oral cancer. A research team studied more 3,400 participants ages 30-69, and those with poor oral health had a 56% higher rate of HPV infection. Additionally, people who had gum disease or dental problems had a 51% higher risk of being infected with HPV.
Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, American Association for Cancer Research 
Reduce risk of head and neck cancer

One form of gum disease called chronic periodontitis is characterized by a progressive loss of bone and soft tissue surrounding the teeth. It is also a risk factor for head and neck cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma. When researchers looked at the relationship by tobacco use, they found that the association persisted even in people who never used tobacco.
Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, American Association for Cancer Research

Ward off potential esophageal and lung cancer

In another study, Japanese researchers found a strong link between tooth loss and an increased risk of three cancers - esophageal, head/neck, and lung cancer. People with tooth loss were 136% more likely to develop esophageal cancer, 68% more likely to develop head and neck cancer, and 54% more likely to develop lung cancer.
It is thought that bacterial infections and inflammation resulting from a lack of proper oral care is the culprit for both the tooth loss and the development of these cancers. And now to increase the ewwww factor, the rate of cancer increases proportionally to the number of teeth a patient has lost.
Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, American Association for Cancer Research
Lower likelihood of pancreatic cancer

As if the link between gum disease and cancer were not strong enough, here is one more for you. Periodontal disease, especially one that leads to tooth loss, also increases one's risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Researchers at Harvard studied more than 52,000 men over 16 years, to find out if periodontal disease might be related to pancreatic cancer. Men who had periodontal disease have a 63% higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer, and those who had periodontal disease resulting in tooth loss are at an even higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
Source: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, American Association for Cancer Research
Defend against heart disease

If all those cancers were not depressing enough for you, let's move right on to heart disease. A 2010 study out of Scotland found that poor oral hygiene is linked to an increased risk of heart conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. People who brush their teeth less frequently had a 70% higher risk of heart disease. Those with poor oral hygiene were also more likely to test positive for inflammatory markers in the bloodstream.
Source: National Institutes of Health, BMJ.com

Lower risk of diabetes


Let's keep on moving right down the line of major diseases that are linked to oral care. Next up is diabetes. Diabetes and periodontal disease go hand-in-hand, as in each one could lead to the other. Those with diabetes are at a higher risk for getting periodontal disease, and vice versa.
Source: American Diabetes Association, Medical News Today, Journal of the American Dental Association


Lessen stroke risk


Since they are interrelated, we could not bring up heart disease and diabetes without mentioning stroke, could we? Typically the two major risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure and diabetes. However, it is now known that gum disease makes it three major risk factors. In fact, periodontal disease carries a higher risk of causing a stroke than diabetes, and about the same risk factor as high blood pressure.
So, are you brushing yet?
Source: American Stroke Association, Medical News Today

Prevent preterm labor

Pregnant women are always told to make sure they take extra good care of their teeth during pregnancy for reasons like an increased risk of gingivitis, loose teeth, and gum decay during pregnancy. As it turns out, there is another, even more important reason. It is estimated that bacteria found in the mouth could be responsible for up to 80% of preterm labors.
As someone who delivered preterm (for an entirely different reason), I can tell you first hand that it is much better to take care of your teeth than to be watching your baby lie in an incubator in a NICU.
Source: Journal of Clinical Microbiology  

Get a Grip!

People with finger dexterity or arthritis may find it difficult to grab thin items. This sponge will allow the user to use as a grip and be able to use daily items such as forks and toothbrushes. They can be made at home by simply cutting some foam such as the ones found on the hair rolls.

This is so clever! Kind of reminds you of those pencil grippers you had in elementary school, right?! 

Foam rollers are not expensive at all and come in all different sizes to accommodate your grip and comfort. Here are a few suggestions on the best foam rollers to try!

Diane    -     Conair    -     Conair

Why Are Regular Dental Cleanings Important?

Prevent cavities

The whitish film that builds up on your teeth is called plaque and is the leading cause of tooth decay. This acidic substance eats away at the tooth enamel and, if left unattended, can lead to cavities. Plaque can be removed by brushing, flossing and dental cleanings.

Stop tooth loss

Gum disease, which starts with built-up plaque, is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. As gum disease advances, plaque moves further down the tooth where it can destroy the supporting bone in your jaw, causing teeth to loosen and fall out. Luckily, the chance of this happening to you can be greatly reduced through regular dental cleanings combined with good oral hygiene habits.

                                                                                    Brighten your smile

Drinking coffee, tea and wine or using tobacco can stain your teeth. A dental cleaning can remove built-up stains and leave you with freshly polished teeth. The result? A whiter, brighter smile!

Freshen your breathGood oral hygiene is the best way to prevent persistent bad breath. Even if you brush and floss regularly, getting a cleaning is a great way to keep your mouth healthy and odor-free.

Boost your overall healthStudies have shown a connection between oral and overall health.¹ Regular dental cleanings may help lower your risk for some diseases, like heart disease and stroke.² Many medical conditions, some of them life-threatening, can be detected in their early stages by your dentist during a routine oral exam.³

Save money

Get the most value from your dental benefits. If you take advantage of your dental

benefits now, you may be able to save money in the long run by helping to protect your oral health and potentially avoiding more costly and extensive procedures.

For these advantages and more, make an appointment with your dentist today.

As a Gift to You, Dental 2000 is giving you a coupon good for $25 off your next cleaning through the end of the month! Not a patient and still want to redeem this coupon? Call now to schedule a no charge consult! 

Mention this blog post!

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• ^{Delta Dental  -
  1} Academy of General Dentistry, “Importance of Oral Health to Overall Health,” 2012.
• ² Academy of General Dentistry, “Gum Disease Effect on Cardiovascular Health,” 2012
• ³ Academy of General Dentistry, “Oral Warning Signs Can Indicate Serious Medical Conditions,” 2012.
• ⁴ Review your Evidence of Coverage, Summary Plan Description or Group Dental Service Contract for specific details about your plan.

Totowa 46 Health & Wellness Fair

We're less than 1 month away from the 1st Annual Totowa 46 Health & Wellness Fair! Have you checked out our blog for the fair? We're adding new vendors each day who will be participating in this awesome event to raise awareness about health and wellness!

Interested? Email us at marketing@dental2000nj.com to register for the event. We are keeping it vendor exclusive so it's on a first come, first serve basis.

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Stand Up 2 Cancer

standup2cancer.org

 

Did you know that 1 person ever 24 hours loses their battle to oral cancer? Don't be another statistic. Schedule your oral cancer screening ASAP! Most cases go undiagnosed until it is too late because people think it can't happen to them. Better HEALTHY than sorry! 

Oral Cancer Screening

Dental 2000 NJ | General Dentist | Cosmetic Dentist

Happy Back to School! Did you know that 92% of children age 8 to 18 have gum inflammation or bleeding? This time of year can get a bit hectic, but NOW is the perfect time to schedule your family dental exams. Schedule your appointment today!