Spirit Dental Resources

Updated on March 10, 2021 You already know that smoking is bad for your lungs, but did you know that this unhealthy habit could also have an impact on your oral health? In fact, smoking is so bad for your mouth that it’s capable of increasing your risk of gum disease and tooth loss.  How is this possible? We’ve got you covered with helpful information below that will shed some light on the effects of smoking.  First, Let’s Cover the Link Between Smoking and Gum Disease Smoking takes a toll on your immune system, so your body may become less capable of fending off infections, including infections that can develop in your gums.  Each puff you take damages your gums, and smoking can also reduce the amount of blood that gets to them. Plus, the problem compounds because your body isn’t able to heal from all of this damage as well as it normally would. Even dental treatments that you receive to combat your gum problems might not be as effective. Yikes! To put things in perspective, your risk of ending up with gum disease may be double that of someone who doesn’t smoke. And this risk goes up the more you smoke and the longer you smoke. With every cigarette you go through, your body is harmed, period.    Now, Let’s Tackle How Smoking Can Cause Tooth Loss By now, you might be thinking, “Okay, smoking affects the gums, but what does that have to do with tooth loss?” It’s simple, actually.  When you have severe gum disease, it can wreak havoc on the structures that support the teeth and keep them in place. Once supportive bone is lost, your teeth could end up becoming loose, and that’s when they might be prone to falling out, leaving you with unsightly gaps that may end up affecting the health of nearby teeth over time as well.  Note: If you’re a smoker, you might not even be aware that there’s a problem with your gums because smoking can hide symptoms like bleeding. So Many Reasons to Quit Smoking! How serious is the risk of tooth loss from smoking? Well, researchers have found that the risk is much higher in both men and women who smoke, and the risk is also there even if you’re young.  It’s also important to note that all of this information doesn’t only apply to cigarette smoking. If you use a pipe, smoke cigars, or vape with e-cigarettes, you’re putting your oral health on the line. Even smokeless tobacco can boost the risk of developing gum recession, gum disease, and tooth decay.   But, it’s not all bad news: the sooner you quit smoking, the sooner you can let your body return to a state of wellness. Over time, as your gums heal and you work on taking better care of your entire mouth, the odds of losing your pearly whites may also decrease.  Keep an Eye on Your Gum Health with the Help of Your Dentist If you smoke, let your dental hygienist and dentist know so they’ll keep an eye out for signs that your teeth and gums are suffering as a result of your habit. Plus, these professionals are an invaluable source of advice when it comes to oral hygiene, and might even be able to provide you with strategies you can use to quit smoking for good.  Need help affording trips to the dentist, especially if you have to get checked often because you’re susceptible to problems like gum disease? Don’t worry! Insurance plans like those offered by Spirit Dental can make it easier to receive the care you need when you’re on a tight budget.    Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.html https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150914102806.htm https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/smoking-oral-health#1    

Updated May 2021The health of your mouth isn’t isolated from the health of the rest of your body; instead, there’s a connection between oral wellness and overall wellness. What does this mean? Well, what happens to your teeth and gums might end up impacting other areas of your body, and chronic health conditions might also end up increasing your risk of tooth and gum problems. Diabetes is a great example of a whole-body condition that can have an impact on the health of your mouth, and vice versa. Check out the information below to see what we mean. How Can Diabetes Affect Your Mouth?Keeping a close eye on how your teeth and gums are doing is a good way to stay on top of your oral health, but it can also alert you to other problems, such as diabetes. For example, because diabetes can increase your risk of gum problems, if you’ve been dealing with recurring periodontitis, you might talk to your doctor to figure out the cause, and you might discover that diabetes is to blame. Here are some of the ways that diabetes can impact your oral health:Gum DiseaseWith diabetes comes a higher risk of gum disease, so you might find that your gums become inflamed and bleed easily. How can this be? Basically, when you’re diabetic, your body will find it harder to fight infections. So, in addition to gum abscesses, you might develop gum disease because of bacteria that attack the gums. Controlling your blood sugar with the help of your doctor is key, as doing so may help reduce your odds of developing gum disease. But also work with your dentist to keep gum problems at bay because doing so might help you keep your blood sugar stable as well. Dry MouthIf you aren’t able to control your diabetes, you might notice that there’s a decreased flow of saliva in your mouth. And when you have dry mouth, your risk of infections increases, as does your risk of cavities, ulcers, and sores. Dry mouth might also be a side effect of a medication that you’re taking to treat diabetes. If this is the case, talk to your doctor to find out if you have any other options when it comes to the medicine you take. Tooth DecayDry mouth isn’t the only reason why you may develop cavities. With high blood sugar, your saliva might have more glucose in it. This, in turn, might also raise your odds of tooth decay. Making sure you remove plaque and tartar is imperative. Focus on brushing, flossing, and booking trips to the dental hygienist. That way, you can work on keeping your chompers clean and strong. Slower HealingWhen you’re diabetic, wounds tend to take longer to heal, even when they occur in the mouth. So, if you need to undergo a dental procedure or you need oral surgery, your diabetes may cause you to experience slower healing. This alone should provide you with plenty of motivation to stay on top of your oral hygiene routine at home and your checkups at the dentist’s office!Oral ThrushThrush is a fungal infection, and your risk will be higher if you have diabetes. It might be the result of dry mouth, excess sugar in your saliva, or your body’s inability to fight off infections as well as it should. This infection can cause patches and sores in the mouth, and it can also cause what’s known as Burning Mouth Syndrome. You can talk to your doctor and dentist for guidance on prevention and treatment. The Best Defense? A Solid Oral Care Routine!Are you worried about how diabetes might end up impacting your teeth and gums? Although the risk is real, rest assured that there are things in your control. Brush and floss at home twice a day, and use mouthwash to further help keep your mouth as clean as possible. Most importantly, book trips to the dentist to have your teeth professionally cleaned and your mouth thoroughly examined.    Concerned that you won’t be able to afford seeing your dentist on a consistent basis? Spirit is here to help! With a variety of dental insurance plans to suit all budgets and needs, you can quickly and easily enroll in a policy that will give you amazing perks like three cleanings per year and coverage for major services.  Sources:https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/diabetes-and-oral-healthhttps://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/diabeteshttps://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11263-oral-health-problems-and-diabeteshttps://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/gum-disease.htmlhttps://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetes-affects-teeth

Updated on February 11, 2021. If you’ve been diagnosed with dry mouth, you know how uncomfortable this condition can be, so you probably want to get relief right away. But, in addition to making your whole mouth feel better, it’s wise to take steps to combat this problem because it may increase your risk of tooth and gum issues. That’s right: dry mouth might make you more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease, and infections. And it might even lead to yucky bad breath too! Stumped about what route to take when it comes to treating dry mouth? Continue reading to learn a bit about some of the products and medications that your doctor or dentist might recommend.  First Off: Is Your Dry Mouth a Side Effect of a Medication That You’re Taking? Some people end up with dry mouth as a side effect of a medication that they’re taking.  If you’ve been diagnosed with a health problem, and your doctor has prescribed a medicine that’s causing your mouth to feel dry, let him or her know about this side effect. Your physician might give you a totally different medication to try instead, or you might just need to have the dosage adjusted to get relief. Simple enough! Tackle Dry Mouth with Over-the-Counter Products  You can find several over-the-counter products that might help you get relief when you’re experiencing dry mouth. It’s certainly worth asking your dentist or doctor about these types of products, especially if you want to try treatments that don’t require a prescription.    For instance, mouthwashes like Biotène Dry Mouth Oral Rinse might help provide some much-needed moisture. And there are also saliva substitutes (a.k.a. artificial saliva), such as Biotène Oralbalance Moisturizing Gel, that might temporarily reduce dryness.  Alternatively, Talk to Your Doctor About Prescriptions  When OTC products fail to give you the relief you need, the good news is that there are also prescription treatments, such as oral rinses, that might be better for you. So don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about your dry mouth symptoms, as medications that stimulate the production of saliva might be the optimal choice.   One example is NeutraSal, which may help make talking, eating, and swallowing easier by acting like real saliva. Plus, there are also prescription medications that are designed to help increase the production and flow of saliva in your mouth. Examples include Evoxac and Salagen.  Note: Prescription medications to relieve dry mouth might be the right way to go if you’ve been diagnosed with a condition, such as Sjögren's syndrome, that has caused dry mouth.  There Are a Lot of Options When It Comes to Treating Dry Mouth! You don’t have to live with uncomfortable dry mouth and the unwanted oral health effects that it can cause.  Once you start diving into the treatment options available for this ailment, you’ll realize that there are special gels, mouthwashes, sprays, rinses, and toothpastes that are formulated to help reduce dry mouth symptoms. And, when over-the-counter products aren’t doing enough, rest assured that there are also prescription medications that your doctor might recommend trying.  Your Dentist Can Help You Keep Your Whole Mouth Healthy Remember: when you have dry mouth, working with your dentist is a smart way to maintain the strength of your teeth and gums. Plus, he or she can also guide you toward the best dry mouth treatments available, from artificial salivas to moisturizers.  If you’re worried about being able to afford every important dental appointment, consider signing up for high-quality insurance that can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.  Sources: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-health-dry-mouth#2 https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dry-mouth-treatments#1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356052 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/expert-answers/dry-mouth/faq-20058424 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10902-dry-mouth-treatments https://www.fda.gov/ https://www.neutrasal.com/about-neutrasal  

Updated on March 10th, 2021 Do you find it hard to stick to a strict oral hygiene routine at home? Do you often skip brushing your teeth twice a day? Are you reluctant to floss because you don’t enjoy doing it or you’re too busy?  To find the motivation to take better care of your mouth, you might want to consider the fact that there’s a potential link between poor oral health and poor heart health! While this might seem a bit strange, it’s true: if you don’t take the proper steps to keep your teeth and gums clean, you might end up doing harm to your ticker. We break it all down for you below, so keep reading to learn about this fascinating connection between two very different parts of your body.  Do Heart Problems Start in Your Gums? To answer this question, let’s take a look at some of the findings of research that has been conducted in this area: One study found that you might be able to lower your risk of heart problems by brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time. Study participants who stated they didn’t brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes showed a higher risk of heart failure, heart attack, or stroke compared to those who brushed the way experts recommend. Researchers have found that gum disease might cause high blood pressure. And oral health problems might also play a role in coronary artery disease.  There might be a connection between poor oral health and heart valve ailments. And people who have gum disease and fewer teeth might be at a greater risk of having a stroke.  Experts believe that, if your oral health is suffering, bacteria in the mouth might get into the bloodstream, increase C-reactive protein and inflammation, adversely impact the blood vessels and heart valves, and boost the risk of cardiovascular problems.   What does this all mean? Well, even though some of the research isn’t definitive, and other factors (such as whether someone smokes or leads an active lifestyle) also play a role in heart health, it appears that the inflammation and bacteria that occur in the mouth because of poor oral hygiene might impact other parts of the body in various ways.  More Research Is Needed to Get More Answers Although some research has shown that there might be a link between poor oral health and poor cardiovascular health, more studies will need to be conducted before experts can be totally sure that these problems are indeed related.  In the meantime, it definitely doesn’t hurt to maintain an oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing every day. And seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings is also wise. Not only will your mouth look and feel good, but you might also be taking a step towards keeping other areas of your body, such as your heart, healthy too!  Focus on What You Can Do Right Now If you have questions about how to up your game when it comes to oral hygiene, talking to a dentist could give you the answers you need. Sure, taking the time to shop for the right toothpaste, toothbrush, flosser, and mouthwash is a great place to start, but don’t neglect those important trips to the dentist to let a professional take a look at your teeth and gums. Your dentist can let you know how you’re doing, and can also provide treatments that will tackle problems like gum disease in their earliest stages before they can lead to other issues.  Final tip: consider signing up for affordable dental insurance to reap a host of benefits, like three cleanings per year and coverage for major services. The right plan can help you rest assured that, if you ever need to undergo expensive treatments for your teeth or gums, you won’t need to break the bank to restore the health of your mouth.   Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/heart-disease-prevention/faq-20057986 https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/11/07/bad-tooth-brushing-habits-tied-to-higher-heart-risk https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/heart-disease/how-oral-health-and-heart-disease-are-connected https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11264-oral-health--risk-for-cv-disease https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/healthy-teeth-healthy-heart https://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/news/20190927/gum-disease-might-raise-your-blood-pressure  

Patients spent less out-of-pocket and dental spending declined slightly in 2009, the first year-to-year decline since government analysts began tracking the National Health Expenditure Accounts in 1960. Dental spending per capita also declined which is certainly another sign of the recession. The economic recession that officially ended in June 2009 ""profoundly influenced"" health care spending during the year, according to a report prepared by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of the Actuary National Health Accounts and described in the journal Health Affairs. Government analysts said a slower rate of growth in consumer out-of-pocket spending for health care compared to 2008 ""was due mainly to declines in out-of-pocket spending for dental services, services provided by nursing care facilities, and physician and clinical services, sectors that account for a relatively large share of out-of-pocket spending.

Updated on February 11, 2021. When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a lot of changes, including hormonal shifts. But did you know that those changes in hormones might end up affecting your oral health? That’s right: your gums can become more prone to gingivitis and gum disease, so it’s important to take amazing care of your teeth and gums while you’re expecting.  In addition to taking steps to keep your mouth healthy for yourself, there’s another great reason to pay extra attention to your gums when you’re pregnant. Keep reading to learn more about the potential effects that gum disease might have on your baby.  Can Gum Disease Affect Your Unborn Baby? According to experts, you might be at a greater risk of certain oral health issues during your pregnancy, and those problems might then result in complications like giving birth to your baby prematurely.  It’s scary to think that something like gum disease could potentially have an effect on your unborn baby, but some research has shown that there is a possible link between premature birth and this oral health ailment.  How is this possible? Basically, the bacteria that are associated with gum disease, and that cause inflammation, might make their way into your bloodstream. Once that happens, the bacteria might affect the fetus, causing low birth weight or premature birth.  Should You Receive Treatment for Gum Disease While Pregnant? Many pregnant women worry about whether seeing the dentist is safe, but experts generally recommend sticking to your appointments to keep a close eye on your pearly whites because pregnancy might end up affecting your oral health. Plus, the sooner your dentist notices a gum problem, the sooner it can be resolved with treatment, thereby helping to keep your whole body well.  Periodontal treatment may be safe for women who are expecting. So, if you have been diagnosed with gum disease while pregnant, or you had gum disease in the past and you’re worried about it recurring, it’s wise to work with your dentist to ensure you receive the appropriate treatments that can help prevent complications and keep your gums as healthy as possible. Healthy Lifestyle Habits and Trips to the Dentist Are Important! By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can also take a smart step to help ensure you have a smooth pregnancy. And seeing your dentist is part of the process of keeping your gums free of disease. Just make it a point to let your dentist and dental hygienist know that you’re pregnant, so you can rest assured you’ll get the best and safest treatments available.  In addition to seeing the dentist, don’t forget to maintain a strict at-home oral hygiene routine (brushing, flossing, using a mouthwash) while you’re expecting.  Also, keep in mind that drinking alcohol and smoking can have harmful effects on your unborn baby, while boosting the risk of oral health problems like gum disease as well. It’s yet another reason to lead a healthy lifestyle before, during, and after pregnancy! Dental Insurance Can Help You Get the Care You Need  You have enough to worry about while you’re pregnant, so you shouldn’t need to fret about paying for professional dental care. If you don’t already have dental insurance, consider signing up for a comprehensive plan. The right coverage can help you afford trips to the dentist both before and during your pregnancy, so you’ll never skip a beat when it comes to having your teeth and gums examined and professionally cleaned to prevent issues like gum disease.  Sources: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/pregnancy-gingivitis-tumors#1 https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/dental-health-during-pregnancy.aspx https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/study-highlights-link-between-gum-disease-and-premature-labour