Poor dental health can affect children at school

Poor oral health, dental disease, and tooth pain can put kids at a serious disadvantage in school, according to a new Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC study.

“The Impact of Oral Health on the Academic Performance of Disadvantaged Children,” appearing in the September 2012 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, examined nearly 1500 socioeconomically disadvantaged elementary and high school children in the Los Angeles Unified School District, matching their oral health status to their academic achievement and attendance records.

http://dentistry.usc.edu/2012/08/10/poor-oral-health-can-mean-missed-school-lower-grades/

November is American Diabetes Month

There are more bacteria in your mouth right now than there are people on Earth. If those germs settle into your gums, you've got gum disease. Unfortunately, if you have diabetes, you are at higher risk for gum problems. Poor blood glucose control makes gum problems more likely. If you have diabetes--go see your dentist! http://www.kboehmdds.com/

November Is Good Nutrition Month!

Restrictive diets and poor eating habits can deprive you of the vitamins and nutrients necessary for a beautiful smile. It's especially important to get enough folate, B vitamins, protein, calcium, and vitamin C -- all of which are considered essential for healthy teeth and gums. 

Poor nutrition can affect your entire immune system, increasing your susceptibility to many disorders and infections, including periodontal disease.

More root canals for smokers?

Looking for another reason to quit? Recent studies at Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine reveal that your gender, how much you smoke and how long you’ve been smoking can significantly multiply your need for root canal treatment.

The good news is you can greatly reduce your need for root canals by quitting cigarette smoking and staying smoke-free. In fact, if you stay smoke-free for at least nine years, your chances of needing a root canal treatment can drop as low as a non-smoker's. http://www.kboehmdds.com/

Cough Drops

Just because cough drops are sold in the medicine aisle doesn't mean they’re healthy. Most are loaded with sugar. So after soothing your throat with a lozenge, be sure to brush well. 

Whether the sugar comes from a cough drop or a hard candy, it reacts with the sticky plaque that coats your teeth. Then bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar into an acid that eats away at tooth enamel. Hello, cavities!

Dentistry for the Entire Family

With a blend of the most current technology and techniques, and our natural approach, our offices are ready to treat every member of your family. We offer same day crowns and restorations using state of the art CEREC technology, orthodontics including Invisalign, Brite Smile teeth whitening, dental implants, and much more. 

Discover a better approach to your dental health. Call us at (630) 810-1280 for an appointment today.

Dental Fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is a condition resulting from a child ingesting too much fluoride while the permanent teeth are developing. In its mildest form, faint white specks can be seen on the teeth. In more severe forms, the teeth can appear brown and mottled. 

Dental fluorosis has been found to be more common in children that consume fluoridated water. One source for this claim is this article published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in October of 2010. http://jada.ada.org/content/141/10/1190.abstract