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  

Why Falling Asleep Without Brushing Your Teeth Is Actually Pretty Darn Gross

The Huffington Post  | By Sarah Klein

The question: Just how gross is it really if I forget to brush my teeth before bed every once in a while?

The answer: Bad news: It's pretty gross. You probably already know that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing those pearly whites twice a day. You also probably know that brushing your teeth is one of the easiest ways to avoid scaring off your date.

But brushing is important for reasons beyond fresh breath. Skip a session, and you're on your way to encouraging the growth of bacterial buildup in the form of plaque, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.

"In the middle of the day, [run your tongue] across your teeth right around the gum line. You’ll find something sticky or fuzzy," Deepinder "Ruchi" Sahota, DDS, a dentist in Fremont, California, and a spokesperson for the ADA, tells The Huffington Post. "That's plaque."

Brushing, thankfully, "disrupt[s] that bacteria so it doesn't stay in place," she says, because if left in place, it starts to attack your teeth. Plus, the longer that plaque sits in one place, the more likely it is to become tartar, "that hard, yellow, rough material you sometimes feel in between your teeth" that can cause inflammation and bleeding in the gums, she says. Leave that untreated for too long, and you could risk losing teeth.

While there's not exactly a precise timeline of when plaque becomes risky, "you can start the process of a cavity by not brushing once, absolutely," says Sahota, especially if your occasional forgetfulness is more frequent than you'd like to admit. (We won't tell.)

However, doing a so-so job brushing can be just as bad, Sahota warns. That twice-a-day routine is no joke, preferably with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Each brushing session should last about two minutes and cover all surfaces of the teeth, not just the parts we see when we smile, she says. The ADA also recommends flossing once a day and seeing a dentist regularly to take care of the rest (like that tartar, which only a dentist can truly clean, she says).

Also, no cheating: Gum, mints and mouthwash are no brushing replacements. All three can give your mouth a fresher feel, says Sahota, but "brushing and flossing are the only ways to effectively, physically remove the plaque."

Have a question for Healthy Living? Get in touch here and we'll do our best to ask the experts and get back to you.

"Ask Healthy Living" is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a qualified health care professional for personalized medical advice.

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

How to Use a Toothbrush as Part of Your Daily Beauty Routine

Most people just think of a toothbrush as a tool to use for cleaning their teeth. In actuality, the uses are endless! Makeup brushes in particular can be fairly expensive and fall apart very easily. What if I told you that a toothbrush could be just as effective, if not more than overpriced makeup brushes? No, I'm not pulling your leg. For as little as $1, you can own a multi-functional beauty tool that will save you fortunes in the long run!

Dental 2000 NJ | General & Cosmetic Dentist

Do you know what's lurking on your toothbrush? According to WebMD, Your toothbrush is loaded with germs, say researchers at England's University of Manchester. They've found that one uncovered toothbrush can harbor more than 100 million bacteria, including E. coli bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, and staphylococci ("staph") bacteria that cause skin infection. Check out your toothbrush the next time you brush.