Spirit Dental Resources

Ahh! Nothing beats a warm cup of coffee. It’s energizing and likely an integral part of your routine to get ready for the day. You might even reach for a second cup when you’re feeling that afternoon slump. But how is all of that coffee affecting your dental health, and what can you do to reduce its negative effects on your pearly whites? Coffee Stains More Than Your Clothes There are microscopic ridges and pits within the enamel of every tooth, and when you eat and drink, they can hold onto particles. That means that a dark drink like coffee could actually embed itself into your enamel, causing unsightly yellowing of the teeth. The top way to prevent those stains is by avoiding coffee, but we know that the need for a caffeine fix is strong, so you probably won’t be giving up your cup of joe just because your teeth might be yellowed by it. Instead, you can incorporate the following strategies into your coffee drinking routine: Don’t sip your coffee throughout the day. Enjoy it at certain times, such as with breakfast and during an afternoon break. When you’re finished, rinse your mouth with water and/or brush your teeth. Avoid getting coffee directly on your teeth by drinking it through a straw. Eat some raw veggies and fruits throughout the day. They have natural fiber that can help keep your teeth sparkling. Follow a dental hygiene routine at home that involves brushing at least twice a day, and switch to a whitening toothpaste so you can remove stains and maintain a brilliant smile. Try an over-the-counter teeth whitening product, or talk to your dentist about professional whitening options. Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings. Beware of Bad Breath In addition to staining your teeth, coffee might even lead to the development of bad breath. This is because the beverage sticks to your tongue. Yuck! Thankfully, you can prevent offensive coffee breath by brushing your teeth and using a tongue scraper after you’re done drinking. To help prevent bad breath, you can also try eating some food before you drink your coffee. Coffee Can Dry Out Your Mouth It might sound counterintuitive because coffee is a drink, after all, but it could have drying effects on your mouth by inhibiting saliva production. Without enough saliva, it becomes harder for your body to keep your mouth clean and balanced naturally. Coffee Can Weaken Your Teeth More bad news: coffee is an acidic beverage. This means that it could actually help bacteria within your mouth make acids that lead to enamel erosion. Over time, your teeth might become brittle and thin. And when teeth are weakened, they become more susceptible to a host of other problems, including sensitivity, cavities, and decay. Plus, if you are adding a lot of sugar and cream to your coffee, you could be doing even more harm to your chompers.   But, Wait, There’s Good News! Coffee lovers, rejoice! When it comes to drinking java, it isn’t all doom and gloom for your dental health after all. Coffee contains polyphenols that could help keep your teeth healthy and strong by breaking down the bacteria that lead to plaque. Varieties that are high in caffeine will be highest in polyphenols. But you do need to drink the coffee black, without any sweeteners, milk, or creamers that would offset any of the benefits provided by the polyphenols. So if you enjoy a strong cup, you’re in luck.    Everything in Moderation Is the Key To prevent the damage that coffee could potentially cause to your teeth, enjoy it in moderation. Experts recommend that you limit your intake to just two cups per day. Also, brush and floss your teeth daily and see your dentist for cleanings to remove stains. With a Spirit dental plan, you can rest assured that your smile will always be white and bright, regardless of how much you love coffee, because you’ll gain access to three teeth cleanings per year. So go ahead and indulge, whether you need a caffeine fix or you enjoy coffee as part of a relaxing ritual.

February is American Heart Month, and February 3rd is National Wear Red Day, so there’s no better time to learn more about how to keep your ticker strong. But did you know that, beyond diet and lifestyle, a clean mouth might also help you maintain a healthy heart? The Keyword: Inflammation Inflammation is a common factor in diseases of the heart and mouth. For example, when it comes to heart problems like atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries, inflammation is involved. And in terms of gum disease, including gingivitis, inflammation also plays a role. Plus, individuals who have moderate to severe gum disease often show higher levels of C-reactive protein, indicating inflammation throughout the whole body, and that inflammation may boost the risk of having a heart attack. For these reasons, experts warn that, if there’s inflammation in your mouth, there might be inflammation in your cardiovascular system as well. Researchers also believe that the bacteria within your mouth could end up spreading throughout your body, causing inflammatory problems elsewhere. For example, bacteria in your mouth could move to your heart via your bloodstream and then attach to damaged areas, resulting in inflammation that could eventually lead to conditions like endocarditis, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Your Gums and Your Heart: More Related Than You Might Think There is still some debate regarding the connection between oral health and heart health, but many experts agree that there is enough evidence to prove that taking care of your mouth might be a solid step towards taking care of your heart.    A consensus report published in the American Journal of Cardiology and the Journal of Periodontology stated that gum disease could play a role as a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Some evidence has shown that gum disease might also be a risk factor for ailments of the arteries and vessels that bring oxygen and blood to the brain. Individuals who have gum disease and have fewer teeth may even be at an increased risk of having a stroke. Yikes! Researchers have found that the bacteria prevalent within atherosclerosis and gum disease are similar. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2014 stated that patients who already have coronary artery disease might reduce the impact of their condition by having their gum disease treated. Heart Health: Yet Another Great Reason to See Your Dentist Seeing your dentist on a regular basis, in addition to brushing and flossing daily at home, will help you catch the earliest signs of gum disease. And while your dentist is examining your mouth, he or she may even be able to notice other symptoms that could indicate illness in various parts of the body. You may not notice the subtle signs of inflammation within your gums, but your dentist knows what to look for. If you do notice symptoms, such as sore, swollen, and red gums, bleeding gums, signs of infection within the mouth, or your gums pulling away from your teeth, be sure to see your dentist ASAP. Other signs that you might have gum disease include bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, as well as loose or shifting teeth—all indications that you should book your appointment right away.   Also, if you suffer from chronic gum problems like advanced periodontal disease or gingivitis, you might be at a greater risk of developing heart disease, so having these conditions treated and managed will help you regain control. And oral hygiene can even reduce plaque that may lead to inflammation and heart troubles. Your Dentist, Your Hero Heart disease causes 1 in 4 deaths annually, and it is the leading cause of death in the US. On top of that, almost 1 in 2 Americans over 30 develop periodontitis. Thankfully, there’s no reason to stop smiling, as both of these conditions may be prevented by making the right lifestyle choices and following a healthy diet, as well as by seeing your doctor and your dentist for regular checkups. With the right dental insurance plan, you can gain access to affordable care, including three cleanings annually. That means you can rest assured that your dentist will notice problems in their earliest stages and treat them before they can do any harm to other organs. So in addition to being able to show off a gorgeous smile, your trip to the dentist could be more valuable than you thought: it might even help you maintain the health of your heart. Sources: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/healthy-teeth-healthy-heart#1 https://www.deltadentalins.com/oral_health/heart.html?_ga=1.164394751.1710427178.1456827074 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986 https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/heart-disease/how-oral-health-and-heart-disease-are-connected https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/NHO/PDFs/FebruaryNHOToolkit.pdf

You thought that getting your teeth cleaned regularly was just to take care of your oral health, but the truth is your dentist could be the first one to notice that something is amiss in another part of your body. What goes on in your mouth can be very telling when it comes to the state of your overall health, as there are several dental issues that can alert you to other problems, including those listed below. When Mouth Troubles Lead to Heart Problems When your dentist looks at your gums and notices inflammation or loose teeth, he may ask you if there’s a history of cardiovascular disease in your family or if you have any heart problems. That’s because gum disease might increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The inflammation within your mouth might cause inflammation to increase in other areas of your body, such as your arteries. Also, if you’re diagnosed with gum disease, the bacteria that are within your mouth might travel to your heart and lead to disease within the cardiovascular system. Your dentist can start treating your gum disease, and you can take steps at home to keep your gums as clean as possible, to reduce your risk. A Surprising Link Between Blood Sugar and Gum Disease There are several symptoms that your dentist can pick up on during a routine exam, such as dry mouth, loose teeth, and gums that are dry, receding, bleeding, or infected and healing slowly. Because these symptoms can be associated with diabetes—a condition that could increase your risk of gum disease—your dentist might recommend getting a blood test to check for it. In the event that you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can work with your primary care physician to get your condition under control. At the same time, experts recommend working with your dentist to treat the gum disease, especially since infections within your gums can make your diabetes more severe and increase the risk of heart disease. Individuals with a history of gum disease and diabetes might also need to see their dentist more often, such as every three months. Bone Health Beyond the Mouth Osteoporosis, commonly seen in postmenopausal women, causes your bones to become weaker. Believe it or not, your mouth can alert a dentist to thinning bones in other parts of your body, even though this condition typically won’t result in changes to your teeth. When osteoporosis takes hold, it causes changes within the bone that gives support to your teeth. So if your dentist notices that you have loose teeth or a receding gum line, he may recommend talking to your doctor to see if osteoporosis is to blame and to receive the appropriate treatment. It All Starts in the Gut The inflammation that’s associated with Crohn’s disease could affect your mouth, leading to raised bumps along the gums surrounding the teeth. You may not know that you have Crohn’s disease because mouth lesions might develop before you even experience abdominal symptoms and digestive upset. And because those oral bumps don’t result in pain, you may not notice them either. Inflammatory bowel conditions, including Crohn’s disease, can also lead to recurring canker sores that you can ask your dentist about. Catching symptoms early will help you get relief as you bring your digestive system back into balance. Because the health of your mouth can provide clues to your overall state of wellness, finding a dentist you can trust can give you peace of mind. With the right oral hygiene routine at home and at the dentist’s office, you can rest assured that your teeth and gums will be clean and strong and that you’ll be able to tackle early symptoms of disease. Sources: https://www.everydayhealth.com/dental-health-pictures/health-problems-your-dentist-can-spot.aspx#03 https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/what-dentist-knows-about-your-health#1 https://www.menshealth.com/health/a19535126/health-problems-your-dentist-can-spot   https://www.thehealthy.com/dental/diseases-dentists-find-first/

It’s a new year, which means it’s the perfect time to make resolutions that will help you enhance your well-being. By applying the following easy tips to your everyday life, you can put yourself on the right track towards boosting your vitality, as well as the health of your entire mouth. Retrain Your Sweet Tooth Everyone loves a sugary treat every now and then, and it’s hard to ignore that sweet tooth craving once it takes hold. But even though your taste buds feel satisfied, indulging in too much sugar isn’t just bad for your waistline, it’s also bad for your teeth. The more sugar you eat, the higher your risk of experiencing tooth decay, so resolving to reduce the amount of sugar in your diet is a simple way to ensure your smile can be bright and beautiful. Thankfully, you don’t have to eliminate sugar completely from your diet (phew!). Instead, just make a few minor changes. Consider switching from soda and juice to water Make the switch to sugar-free gum Try putting a bit less sugar in your coffee or tea Instead of getting through the afternoon slump with some candy or chocolate, snack on trail mix or fruit Veggies Are the Way to Go! Eating healthier can give your body the nutrients it needs to thrive, but the right diet could also protect the health of your teeth and gums. There are foods that can help keep your teeth clean naturally, and those are the ones you want to stock your fridge with. Pasta, bread, crackers, chips, and other refined and starchy carbs are delicious, but they could actually be as damaging as candy. That’s because starches from white flour are nothing more than simple carbs. They’ll hang around inside your mouth and break down into simple sugars that bacteria can feed on. That results in acid, which could lead to tooth decay. To support the strength of your teeth from the inside out, calcium-rich foods are a great choice. But to help prevent nasty bacteria from lingering in your mouth, consider eating fibrous foods, like fruits and raw veggies. These will stimulate saliva production that can help flush bacteria from your teeth and gums. Plus, the texture of these foods acts a bit like a natural toothbrush. Want to get it all in one meal? Feast on veggies like kale, collard greens, kelp, broccoli, and spinach, as they’re both fibrous and high in calcium!     Anyone Up for Afternoon Tea? If you’re an avid coffee drinker, consider swapping a cup or two of java every day for a cup of black or green tea instead. In addition to antioxidants that fight free radicals, there are compounds within tea that can work on suppressing bacteria in your mouth—the kind of bacteria that could lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Tip: Try drinking your tea sans sugar, or gradually reduce the amount of sugar that you need. Its natural flavor will come through without the added sweetness that could undo the positive effects of this soothing beverage.     Kick Tobacco to the Curb! Kicking your tobacco habit could help you become healthier in more ways than one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking and chewing tobacco could double the risk of developing gum disease, and they could also increase your risk of other serious conditions, including oral cancer and lung cancer. To reduce your odds of losing teeth and developing unsightly yellow teeth, dry mouth, and bad breath, consider taking steps to wean yourself off of your addiction. With the help of nicotine replacement products, you can be well on your way to clearer lungs, a cleaner mouth, and a gorgeous smile in no time.   Nothing Beats Pure Water Are you drinking enough water every day? You’ve likely heard all of the health reports on the importance of drinking water to stay hydrated, but water is more powerful than you think when it comes to oral health.

Now that the holidays are soon to be over, fun holiday shaped treats will no longer be in season. But what does that mean for you and the healthy food you were able to disguise into fun treats for your kids? It doesn't have to mean a thing! As we approach a new year, healthy eating and keeping up with good habits comes to the forefront for most individuals as we start to think about resolutions. Keeping a constant, healthy diet is good for both your body and teeth. That’s why we’ve put together a list of five great snacks you can make for yourself or your kids. Just because there isn’t a holiday to celebrate, doesn’t mean we need to make eating healthy boring. 1. Teddy Bear Toast Source: craftmorning.com Whole wheat toast, a little peanut or almond butter, raisins and bananas - how simple is that! It’s cute, delicious, and hard to say no to. I mean, look at that face! 2. Owl Rice Cakes  Source: afewshortcuts.com Getting kids to eat rice cakes instead of Doritos seems like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Not only is this a healthy snack, but it's also one we can see your kids continually asking for because who doesn’t love playing with their food?! Needs: Rice cakes, peanut or almond butter, Cheerios, bananas, blueberries, an apple, and cantaloupe. 3. Butterfly Snacks Source:Jugglingwithkids.com Cute and perfect for an on-the-go snack or in a school lunch. You can have your kids help you paint the safety pins and add eyes! The pipe cleaner antenna goes on last as it just slides in at the end. Directions: Fill a snack size plastic bag ¾ of the way full. You can add grapes and Goldfish as seen in the image or any other healthy snacks you have in the house. Seal the bag, clip the safety pin over the middle. Next, take about a 6-inch pipe cleaner, bend it n half and slide it towards the back of the safety pin, so it stays in place. Voila! 4. Sushi Sandwich Source: Babble Sushi rolls are a perfect way to make an ordinary sandwich a fun meal. Plus, it’s a fun activity that will help keep the kids busy. These can be made with any ingredients that you like. Peanut butter and jelly is another great option to the above turkey and veggie roll. To get started, take a piece of sliced bread, cut off the edges and work the bread till it becomes a little flatter. Next, slice your ingredients into little strips about the width of the bread. Spread mustard, mayo, or the condiment of your choice on the bread. Then place one piece of each ingredient on one end and roll! From there, slice it into bite-sized pieces and enjoy. 5. Cheese Monsters --> Source: Danya Banya It all starts with a package of mini Babybel cheese! Take a paring knife and cut through the outer layer to make the teeth/mouths. From there, the kids can help add on the googly eyes. To prevent glue from getting on the cheese, take a small cup, add a little glue and get a popsicle stick. Using the popsicle stick can help make sure the glue is contained to the stick and not on your kids fingers!

Wires, rubber bands, brackets, oh my! Braces are a solution for quite a few oral issues including overcrowded teeth, overbites, crooked teeth, and “bad bites” just to name a few. In particular, the overbite is the second most common reason for braces.* According to the medical dictionary, an overbite is a condition in which the top teeth or incisors overlap the bottom teeth too much when the jaw completely is closed. The issue is quite common and can be remedied with braces and proper care. Although, secondary issues can appear if the issue is ignored. Causes of an Overbite An overbite is a malocclusion that can be inherited, caused by a jaw malformation during development or a result of bad habits. Thumbsucking, prolonged bottle feeding, cleft lip and palate, and the use of a pacifier after three years of age can all be contributing factors. How Braces Help Orthodontics is a standard solution for helping a condition such as an overbite. The process starts with a round of x-rays and impressions to see the structural overview which is then used to help determine the path needed to manipulate both the bottom and top teeth over time. Most abnormal bites are discovered between ages 6-12 with treatment starting between 8-14.** Seeing as this condition is usually discovered at an early age, parents or caretakers might be eligible for financial help from their dental insurance plans. Not all plans cover children’s orthodontics, something to keep in mind when shopping for an orthodontic dental insurance. Why Fixing the Problem Is Important When an abnormal alignment is caught early, it can help cut down on the time needed to fix the issue. If teeth aren’t aligned properly, they might not be able to perform vital functions quite as well which can result in other oral issues or digestive problems. Whether you’re a child or an adult, it’s never too late to fix this issue. If it will help improve your quality of life, we recommend seeking medical attention as soon as you can. Resources: * Johnson Elite Orthodontics ** American Dental Association Getting Over Your Overbite, Dentistry.com Malocclusions of Teeth, Healthline