Filed under: Dental Technology, Oral Health | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, Doylestown, hygiene
Statistics show that our female patients are usually much better than the guys about making and keeping preventive care appointments. But according to the Centers for Disease control only 71.4 percent of women over the age of 18 had their teeth cleaned during 2008. This means that almost 30% of women didn’t get their dental hygiene visit and the health check that came along with it that year. I imagine that the numbers are pretty similar from year to year so here’s what those ladies (and men) are missing.
Regular dental hygiene visits can do more for your health than keep your smile in shape. Non-dental related health issues can also be spotted and or prevented during your checkup. Here are 4 of the most common:
- Heart disease – Women who get dental care may reduce their risk of heart disease by 1/3 according to researchers at Berkely. While recent research has shown that gum disease doesn’t seem to cause heart disease there is a link that science is still figuring out.
- Oral cancer – Each visit to the dental hygienist includes a visual and manual screening for oral cancers. DNA testing for HPV exposure (which greatly increases the risk for oral cancers) is available. Knowing your risk is important – early detection of oral cancer is important for effective treatment.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Your gums and tongue can tell a lot about your nutritional status. For example, a pale tongue can indicate an iron deficiency.
- Diabetes – The health of your gums and teeth can tell us a lot about your blood sugar problems. The link between oral health and diabetes goes both ways – diabetes increases the risk you will have gum disease and having gum disease makes it harder to control your diabetes. Diabetic patients usually need dental cleanings more often than every six months.
People who avoid making dental hygiene appointments usually have two reasons: anxiety or finances. Neither of these should be a reason for avoiding the dental office. Over the long run, patients who maintain regularly scheduled care typically have lower dental expenses because problems are discovered when they are small and easily (more cheaply) resolved. Our office utilizes high tech devices to seek out dental decay in its earliest stages so you can avoid large fillings.
Anxiety or fear issues are a legitimate problem for some patients, please let us know if you experience dental anxiety and we will be glad to work with you to make your visit pleasant and relaxing.
Please contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your dental hygiene visit. The health of your smile, and your overall health, are important and closely linked – please schedule your visit soon.
Ancient man didn’t have fluoride toothpaste and dental floss so it shouldn’t be a surprise that ancient teeth have tons of dental calculus. What is surprising is that archeologists have been able to use this poor oral hygiene as a tool to help discover what these people ate. 
Researchers at the University of Nevada discovered that by removing very small particles of dental calculus from the teeth of ancient remains and running the samples through a mass spectrometer they could figure out whether ancient diets were primarily plant or animal. Dr. G. Richard Scott explained that bone is normally used for this process but museum curators frown on the experiments because the bone is destroyed in the process. Hair and nails said Scott “are great when you find them. The problem is they just don’t hold up very well. They decompose too quickly. Dental calculus, for better or worse, stays around a very long time.”
Your dental hygienist could have told you that. Calculus is formed when dental plaque hardens. Plaque is a biofilm that forms on your teeth that is made up of oral bacteria, food debris, etc. The substance is soft and can be removed easily at first but after a day or so hardens to become calculus. This substance can’t be removed by brushing and flossing alone, you need a professional cleaning to remove calculus and keep your gums healthy.
Contact the Doylestown, PA office of Dr. Beth Snyder today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your dental hygiene visit. Ancient calculus is only a good thing if you are an archeologist!
Filed under: Dental Technology, Oral Health | Tags: bacteria, Beth Snyder DMD, gums, oral health, periodontal
Dementia and dental health? Could there be a connection? A study from Japan completed recently suggests that there could be. The study of more than 4000 elderly adults in Japan showed that those who didn’t visit the dentist on a regular or had lost several teeth and didn’t use dentures had a higher risk for dementia than those who were in better dental health.
Japan is concerned about the increasing number of patients with dementia because of a rapidly aging population. Lead researcher Dr. Yukio Hirata said “The number of dementia patients is increasing, but there are no effective treatment and prevention methods. Therefore, finding risk factors contributes to solving the problem from the viewpoint of prevention.” She also reported that some earlier studies had suggested that periodontal disease and tooth loss might be risk factors for dementia. Tooth loss has a serious effect on diet and nutrition as well as overall quality of life for senior citizens no matter what country they are from.
Avoid potential tooth loss by brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist every six months (or more often if you have gum disease or risk factors for gum disease). Bacterial testing for periodontal disease is available enabling us to pinpoint treatment.
Protect your oral health and your overall health by scheduling your dental hygiene appointment today. Please contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA at 215-348-9922 to make your appointment.
Canker sores aren’t really something to worry about most of the time. Some people get canker sores frequently, some people get them rarely. About 80% of us never get canker sores and scientists still don’t really understand what causes them. The theory is that we get canker sores because of a problem with our immune system.
Canker sores are not dangerous so they shouldn’t cause worry. They are uncomfortable and annoying. The sores can show up on the inside of the lips, inside the cheeks, at the base of the gums or on the tongue. Most of the time we only get one canker sore at a time but some unlucky folks can have several at once. Fortunately they only occur a few times each year. They have been linked with other diseases such as Behcet’s syndrome.
There may bel a burning or tingling before the sore starts to form. The sores take two or three days to form and usually are painful for only a few days. Most canker sores go away after two weeks. You should call on dentist if your canker sore is unusually large (almost 1/2 inch across) or if you are getting more sores, or getting them more often than you used to. If a mouth sore doesn’t heal after an appropriate period of time please visit us immediately to rule out any serious conditions. If you have other symptoms such as rashes, joint pain or fever call your physician.
Canker sore treatment consists mainly of relieving the discomfort. Over-the-counter numbing creams and gels may be helpful, rinsing with warm water and avoiding spicy or salty foods are suggested. If a sore is very large or painful prescription medications may be called for. While canker sores are painful, don’t skip brushing and flossing!
Please contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA at 215-348-9922 today to schedule your next appointment if canker sores or other mouth sores have been bothering you. If any mouth sore does not heal within 10 to 14 days please contact us immediately.
How can patients with diabetes save on health care costs? One way is by keeping your gums healthy.
People with diabetes need to be very aware of their periodontal health. Simply having diabetes makes you much more susceptible to gum disease and having gum disease makes it harder to maintain your blood sugar levels. Treating existing gum disease and maintaining excellent home care including brushing and flossing daily need to be part of the health routine for every diabetic patient. If periodontal disease is present, it needs to be treated.
A study released by the University of Pennsylvania showed that patients with diabetes who treat their periodontal disease reduced their doctor visits and were less likely to be hospitalized — saving on average $1800 per patient per year.
Researcher Marjorie Jeffcoat said “The biggest surprise was the tremendous decrease in doctor visits. The doctors felt they did not need to see these patients.” She continued “The other thing that was a big surprise was that the effect was maintained over a 3-year period.”
Why would some people not treat their gum disease? Some people remember hearing horror stories from the “old days” about invasive gum surgeries that were very painful and slow to heal. Things have changed in the world of gum disease and treatments are nothing to be afraid of. We can even perform tests that discover the precise types of bacteria causing your problems and target treatment.
If it has been a while since your last dental hygiene visit please contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA at 215-348-9922 to schedule your next visit and be sure to let us know if you have any special health issues like diabetes. We will work with you to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
Filed under: Oral Health, TMJ Disorder | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, TMJ
Sounds to good to be true but there is one candy that your dentist will approve of! Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate offers a host of health benefits including some for your smile.
The American Chemical Society is hosting a symposium titled “Cocoa: Science and Technology” which features reports from experts on the main ingredient in chocolate. Studies include findings about:
- Stress — eating about one and a half ounces of dark chocolate per day reduce levels of stress hormones
- High blood pressure — Flavonoids in chocolate may help lower blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems — Chocolate helps strengthen mitochondria which become weakened in people with heart problems
Also included was a study that thrills neuromuscular dentists everywhere:
- TMJ and migraine — It seems that chocolate may be useful in treating disorders involving the trigeminal nerve (a very sensitive nerve that runs through the face and jaw area). It seems that some of the active ingredients in chocolate were found to soothe the excitability of the nerve.
- Previous studies have shown that dark chocolate actually contains substances that help reduce tooth decay.
So go ahead and enjoy your dark chocolate, just remember that although it contains lots of chemical compounds that are good for you it also contains lots of fats and sugars so moderation is key.
If you experience jaw or facial pain, chronic headaches or clicking in your jaw you may suffer from a problem with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Please contact Philadephia area neuromuscular dentist Dr. Beth Snyder at 215-348-9922 today to schedule your consultation.
Can you name the common item you probably have in your refrigerator that hurts both your teeth and your heart? If you guessed sugar sweetened drinks such as soda you are right!
A new study reported in Circulation showed that men (the study didn’t include women) who drank a 12 ounce sugar sweetened drink once each day increased their risk of heart disease 20% compared to men who drank non-sweetened drinks.
Lead researcher Dr. Frank B. Hu said “This study adds to the growing evidence that sugary beverages are detrimental to cardiovascular health.” The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease so any steps that can be taken by patients to reduce their risk should be taken seriously.
About 40,000 men were studied and researchers found the increased risk even after they controlled for other factors such as smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol use and family health history. Enjoying a sugary drink once or twice a week didn’t seem to have the same increase in risk as drinking the stuff every day. Although this study looked only at men, previous research had found comparable findings about women.
Remember you don’t have to cut soda and sweet tea from your diet completely — just remember that they are treats and shouldn’t be consumed every day. You’ll have fewer cavities and a healthier smile if you start drinking tap water instead of soda with your meals — this is especially important for your children! Tap water is typically fluoridated which helps strengthen teeth and avoiding sticky, sugary sodas helps keep bacteria populations in the mouth from growing out of control. Less bacteria means less gum disease and tooth decay!
Please contact Dr. Beth Snyder in Doylestown, PA at 215-348-9922 today to schedule your next appointment. Regular dental cleanings have also been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease – more news to smile about!
Celebrate National Nutrition Month by promoting healthy eating for every member of your family. Doylestown, PA cosmetic dentist Dr. Beth Snyder wants to remind everyone that good food choices can help maintain overall health and can help maintain our healthy smile as well. Since we’ve learned that overall health and oral health are closely linked it is more important than ever to make the right nutritional choices.
We all know to avoid sugar because of the link to dental cavities. Sugar consumption can also lead to childhood obesity which can lead to Type II Diabetes. Diabetes is linked to gum disease. Sugar in obvious sources like candy can easily be avoided but remember to read the labels of other foods. Large amounts of sugar are hidden in everyday foods like pasta sauce and frozen entrees.
Foods that will support your family’s oral and overall health include:
Dairy Products – Milk and yogurt are full of calcium and Vitamin D which help support healthy bones and teeth. Watch out for products with added sugars.
Fiber Rich Foods – High fiber fruits, vegetables and grains offer plenty of nutrients, aid digestion and can lower cholesterol. They are also great for your teeth because the act of chewing fibrous foods actually scrubs your teeth and helps stimulate saliva flow.
Powerhouse Foods – Foods that contain vitamins A, C and D, calcium and phosphorus like beef, eggs, leafy greens, whole grains and beans. Nuts are great snacks for teeth which contains lots of nutrients for your whole body.
Water – Drinking lots of water rinses sugars and acids from your mouth and, if it is fluoridated, works to strengthen enamel helping to avoid tooth decay and the need for dental restorations.
Modern dental care is about preventing problems. Good nutrition is a great way to help us keep your family’s smiles healthy and strong. Another link in the chain – regular cleanings from your dental hygienist. Please contact us today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your appointment.
Filed under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral Health | Tags: Beth Snyder DMD, broken tooth, health
Have you experienced damage to your teeth or existing dental work but aren’t quite sure how it happened? Here are three bad habits that cause serious damage:
- Chewing on ice. Mom was right when she told you to stop chewing ice. Crunching something hard like an ice cube can cause breakage but the cold temperature actually makes it worse for your teeth. The combination can actually cause teeth to fracture or can cause microscopic cracks in the enamel. Those small cracks can lead to big problems over time.
- Using teeth as tools. Teeth are not scissors, pliers or anything else. We’ve seen people who have used their teeth to open bags of snacks and we’ve seen people who attempted to unstick the top of their nailpolish bottle with their teeth. It is no wonder that so many people chip and break perfectly healthy teeth in this fashion. Of course if you have a dental restoration in the teeth you are using instead of your pliers you know it has to end badly. For some reason this is a habit that is especially hard to break. The good news is that cosmetic dentistry is able to restore your fractured tooth back to its natural looking beauty.
- Scrubbing too hard. Some people feel that their teeth are getting cleaner if they use a hard bristle toothbrush or scrub really hard. No, they are not! You are damaging your teeth and gums when using those brushes or when you press too hard. The teeth may become sensitive and gum tissue can be damaged. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and brush gently, but thoroughly. Combined with a good flossing every day, your soft bristle toothbrush is your smile’s best friend.
For more information about proper tooth brushing techniques and to schedule your appointment please contact Dr. Beth Snyder‘s Doylestown PA office at 215-348-9922 today.
A combination of good home care and regular dental visits are needed to keep gums healthy. Some risk factors for periodontal disease include those outside our control like hormonal changes, certain diseases and some medications. There are risk factors we can control – whether or not we use tobacco and, equally as important, our diet. Poor nutrition increases your risk of developing periodontal disease but some nutritional supplements may help.
- Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that is needed by every cell in your body to make energy. It is beneficial for a variety of diseases, including gum disease because of its role as an antioxidant. CoQ10 can help reduce deterioration of the gums and allow healing to occur as researchers discovered in 1976.
- Calcium. 3/4 of all Americans don’t get adequate calcium each day and studies have shown that people with low calcium intake are twice as likely to have gum disease.
- Folic Acid. Folic Acid not only protects against birth defects and heart disease, it has also been shown to reduce the risk of gum disease. Scientists are studying whether folic acid mouth rinses would be effective.
- Green Tea. Green tea is wonderful stuff and full of good-for-you antioxidants. It possesses two specific types of polyphenols that have been shown to fight oral plaque and bacteria. Green tea extract has been shown to inhibit the type of bacteria that causes cavities.
- Vitamin C protect against scurvy and gum disease. Studies have shown that people with periodontal disease who consumed additional vitamin C improved the health of their gum tissue in only 6 weeks.
The best way to get the nutrients you need is by eating a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables with lots of low-fat dairy for calcium. If you don’t feel that you are getting the nutrients you need from your diet remember to talk to your doctor before starting supplements.
If you would like to learn more about nutrition and your healthy smile feel free to ask at your next visit to our Doylestown, PA office. Please contact Dr. Beth Snyder today at 215-348-9922 to schedule your dental hygiene visit.
