Many people often experience holiday stress. Stress is a coping mechanism to everyday challenges, but when the stress response is continuous it can have a negative impact on overall health. You may feel your heart rate and breathing increase, as well as increased muscle tension. Stress can have physical and psychological consequences. Did you know it can also have an impact on your oral health? Stress and Oral Health When prolonged stress occurs, your immune system can become compromised. The...

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect a person’s social life. There are different causes that can be considered. In 80-90% of cases, bad breath originates form the oral cavity. Your mouth is an ideal location for bacterial growth, with the most common places being your tongue and your gums between your teeth. What causes bad breath? Cavities Gum disease Bacteria on the tongue Infections in the mouth Medications that cause dry mouth Disorders that cause dry mouth...

Your mouth is a window into your body. The mouth can show signs of general infection, side effects to medications, nutritional deficiencies, signs of systemic diseases, and more. By having good oral hygiene and visiting your dental professional regularly you are taking care of your entire body! Here are some examples of where research has identified a correlation between oral and general health. Heart Disease Diabetes Pneumonia Arthritis Preterm birth / low birth weight Cancer Neurodegenerative diseases Obesity Osteoporosis Periodontitis...

Let’s look at an example of how the mouth and body are related. There is a direct correlation between periodontitis and diabetes. Among the US population 11.3%  (37.3 million people) have diabetes, with approximately 1 in 4 not aware of having the disease. The total US population with prediabetes is 38% (96 million people aged 18 years or older). Did you know November is American Diabetes Month to raise awareness of diabetes symptoms, promote healthy living, and ensure people are...

Diet Impacts Tooth Health Your mouth is essential for chewing and swallowing your food. The mouth is the first point of contact with all the nutrients your body needs. What you put in your mouth impacts both your oral and general health. What is a cavity? Cavities form when the bacteria in the mouth eat the available sugars and produce acid, which breaks down the outer layer, the enamel, of the tooth. Cavities often develop between the teeth and in...

Healthy Snacks for a Healthy Mouth Sometimes eating between meals must happen. It is recommended to limit eating and drinking sugary drinks between meals. Most people choose foods like sweets and chips for snacks. These choices can weaken the teeth and cause cavities. Also, nutritious, acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits can have acidic effects on tooth enamel. Try to eat them as part of a meal, and not as a stand-alone snack. Here are some nutritious snack choices:...

Foods & Drinks to Avoid for a Healthy Mouth While some food may seem harmless, if you eat too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Here are 6 different foods and drinks that should be cautiously consumed. Hard Candies: Constant exposure to sugar and the hardness of the candy could cause a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth. Alternative is sugarless gum Ice: Chewing on ice can also leave you...

Energy drinks, shakes, smoothies, and fruit juices – sounds healthy, right? Such beverages are often considered part of a healthy lifestyle, and some of them do contain a lot of nutritious ingredients. But they also tend to have a low pH, meaning that they are acidic, and may cause erosion of the teeth – simply put, it wears them down.    Since these beverages often come in big containers, consuming these types of drinks may include a longer period of...