Registered dietitians at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognize a link between mouth health and nutrition. Oral infectious diseases, as well as acute, chronic and terminal illnesses with oral symptoms can impact not only our ability to consume food properly, but also our health and nutrition status.
Learn more about the link between nutrition and oral health from your dentist in Norridge, IL.
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! This day marks an event where everyone can feast and eat all the food that their tummies can handle. It is one of the few days of the year when people break their diets and really indulge at dinner.
During this time, recipes can be found on how to stay on a healthy diet this holiday while still being able to enjoy delicious meals. However, maintaining good oral health is also essential to your overall health. While there are certain foods that will prevent you from packing on a few pounds, there are foods that will prevent you from tooth decay as well.
Here are some foods that you should eat to keep your smile healthy this holiday:
Consider including these foods in your Thanksgiving Day feast and then you can give thanks for many more years of healthy teeth! Drink plenty of water during and in between meals to avoid tooth decay caused by foods that are high in sugar. Remember to brush your teeth and floss after dinner to maintain optimal oral health!
Contact our dental office in Norridge for more information on what foods you should eat on Thanksgiving Day!
In 3500 BC, the Babylonians and Egyptians used chewing sticks to clean their teeth. Look how far the toothbrush has come! Learn more about the history of the toothbrush from your dentist in Norridge.
Accidents always happen. Be sure to know what to do when one arises – it can be the difference of saving a tooth or losing one.
A dental emergency is an injury to your teeth or gums that can be potentially serious. Ignoring one can increase the risk of permanent damage. For all dental emergencies, it is important to contact our office as soon as the injury occurs. Provide detailed information about the injury to your mouth. We will be able to give you instructions on how to care for your mouth in the time before coming to our office. In some instances, we may recommend emergency care.
Here are some common dental injuries and how to care for them.
Knocked-out tooth
Rinse the tooth with water if it’s dirty and try not to remove any attached tissue fragments. Keep the tooth moist at all times by carefully putting the tooth back in place without forcing it back into the socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container of milk or in a cup of water that contains a pinch of salt. Contact our dental office as quickly as possible.
Chipped or cracked tooth
Save any pieces if possible. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the injured area as well as remove any small tooth fragments. Apply cold compresses to your mouth to keep down the swelling and relieve pain.
Objects caught between teeth
Carefully try to remove the object using floss. If you cannot get the object out, see your dentist. It is important to never use a pin or sharp instrument to remove the object since you may cause injury to your gums or the surfaces of your teeth.
Soft-tissue injuries
Injuries to your tongue, cheeks, gums and lips can result in bleeding. To control the bleeding, rinse your mouth with mild salt water. Apply a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to the bleeding site for about 15 minutes. You may also use a cold compress to relieve pain. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, contact our dental office.
You can also take simple precautions to avoid dental emergencies:
• When participating in sports, always wear a mouth guard
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy
• Never use your teeth to cut things – use scissors
If you encounter a dental emergency, always contact our Norridge dental office as soon as possible. We can provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to care for your mouth or may ask you to come into the office. If you have any additional dental emergency questions, be sure to contact us.
A hectic lifestyle can certainly make time pass quickly. Before you realize it, you may find your smile due for another dental exam and cleaning. We suggest scheduling your next appointment prior to leaving our dental office in Norridge to prevent missing an important cleaning. Skipping a professional cleaning and exam may become costly in numerous ways.
Preventive Measures
Routine dental check-ups may prevent oral diseases (such as decay and periodontal disease) from developing. An exam allows our professional dental team to find early signs of mineralized plaque (tartar), which can cause extreme damage to your teeth and gums. Other dental problems such as loose filling, dry mouth, and impacted wisdom teeth may also be discovered and treated to prevent worsening dental problems.
Time Matters
The sooner dental problems are detected, the less costly and invasive the treatment will be. During your check-up, our doctor will screen your smile for early signs of gum disease, decay and oral cancer.
During the early stages of gum disease, a non-surgical deep cleaning is able to treat mild to moderate conditions. However, intense cases of gum disease may require gum surgery. Cavities also benefit from early detection. Cavities can infect and damage the pulp of the tooth. A pulp infection can require root canal therapy. Once a cavity is left untreated for a long period of time, the affected tooth can become severely damaged may require an extraction. Regular exams with our dentist in Norridge, IL prevent expensive treatment such as extractions and root canals from being needed.
Visit our office more than twice a year to maintain your strong and bright smile. Contact the dentist in Norridge to schedule your routine dental exam today. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Start your child’s school year off with a bright smile. See your Dentist in Norridge to place your child’s oral health on track to success this school year!
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to integrate good oral health habits into your child’s daily routine. Monitor your child’s daily oral hygiene habits to ensure quality care to your child’s smile. Good daily habits include brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush and flossing before and after school. Avoid any mint flavors for children, as they are too strong for a sensitive palate. Daily dental hygiene habits are more easily formed when a child enjoys the flavor of their toothpaste and floss. Your dentist in Norridge, IL would be able to recommend oral care products for your child.
When packing your child’s lunch, consider healthy options. Avoid acidic juices that cause tooth enamel erosion. Instead, select drinks that are low in sugar, such as milk and water. Milk is an excellent calcium source to develop strong healthy teeth. Too much sugar in food and beverages, can cause cavities. Healthy eating habits will support a healthy smile.
Your Norridge dentist recommends a six-month check up to promote optimal dental health throughout the school year. If your child is interested in playing contact sports, you may want to your ask your dentist about a protective mouth guard. A well-fitted mouth can reduce injury to your child’s smile. Your dentist may also recommend an orthodontic screening for child’s developing smile. Early orthodontic care can guide the growth of the jaw and incoming permanent teeth.
Remember, good dental hygiene is the key to overall wellness. Practice good dental habits to succeed with your dental health this school year! Contact the Dentist in Norridge and schedule your child’s next appointment.