Benefits of Chewing Gum Regularly

Believe it or not, chewing gum can offer benefits that are much more important than having fresh breath for that first kiss or looking cool in school. Yes, chewing gum can be good for you! In fact, aside from good breath, chewing gum offers many health benefits including improving memory, reducing stress, increased focus, managing weight, and improving oral health.

According to several studies, chewing gum increases focus and improves your memory. In recent studies, it has been found that people who chew gum during tests and exams score significantly higher than those who do not chew gum during test taking. Why? Chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain and produces more oxygen. This leads to increased cognitive strength, critical thinking skills, and enhanced memory. Also, many teachers, professors, business owners, and bosses encourage their students and/or employees to chew gum in the hopes of relieving stress and other tension. According to studies, the relaxed, rhythmic motion of chewing gum serves as an outlet for frustration, irritation, anger, and stress. It can leave someone feeling relaxed and stress-free.

Another benefit of chewing gum is its ability to manage weight and improve digestion. Gum has an insignificant calorie count, while also allowing for the burning of over 10 calories per hour. Also, a constant chewing motion keeps people from wanting to eat or snack heavily. For digestive purposes, chewing gum increases digestive tract motility due to the increased production of saliva which consequently leads to increased swallowing.
Finally, one of the most well-known and established benefits of chewing gum is the oral hygiene is provides.

A notorious dental tip provided by the family dentist is to chew more gum, and there’s good reason to. Increased saliva production is not only good for the digestive tract, but it also good for your mouth. Saliva is the most important substance in protecting your mouth and its health. More saliva helps to remove foreign food debris, sugars, and other decay that cause acids and bad breath. Another dental tip is to chew sugar free gum as often as possible. Sugar free gum does not cause tooth decay and has an antimicrobial effect on the teeth, gums, and tongue. It is shown that those who chew sugar-free gum have fewer cavities than those who do not.

As you can see, chewing gum offers benefits other than suaveness and fresh breath. While gum chewing has different effects on different, it’s still a great idea to carry a pack! 

 

 Reserve Dental Group is your Boca Raton Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry conveniently located in Boca Raton, Florida, for more information visit us online at http://reservedentalgroup.com or call our office to set an appointment 561-852-7773.

Electric Versus Manual Toothbrush

Everybody knows that brushing your teeth will help prevent gum disease, give you fresh breath, and keep you healthy. However, one important question to ask is: which is the Best Toothbrush for you, manual or electric? In this guide, we will provide a brief rundown of the pros and cons associated with each toothbrush until we ultimately arrive at the answer as to which toothbrush is superior.

Manual Toothbrush
Most people tend to prefer brushing their teeth with a manual toothbrush. Manual toothbrushes do have a few benefits associated with them. When you use a manual toothbrush, you can be sure that you are saving money. In fact, you can get most manual toothbrushes for free in your dentist’s office. Typically, a dentist gives you a new toothbrush after each cleaning, so you should have a great toothbrush that will last you for quite a while. If you don’t have a manual toothbrush from the dentist’s office, most grocery stores sell them for $7 or less, depending on which style you choose.

Manual toothbrushes are also extremely portable. If you are going on a long trip, it is very easy to put the toothbrush into your toiletry bag and then go. Electric brushes may require more effort and be difficult to transport. Some airports may not even allow you to take an electric toothbrush onto the plane in your luggage, so that is something else to bear in mind.

Manual toothbrushes do have their negative side as well. For one thing, when you are brushing with a manual toothbrush, it is impossible to get all the germs off your teeth, because you cannot reach all the way down to the gum line or into some parts of your mouth. Often, you will find yourself holding the brush at an awkward angle trying to brush off all the germs which will inevitably return.

Electric Toothbrush
If you want a toothbrush that will do a good job at getting most of the germs off your teeth, than an electric style of toothbrush is truly the Best Toothbrush you can invest in. Since many of them have vibrating heads on them, they do a far better job at getting your teeth clean than you can with a manual brush.

Ultimately, the Best Toothbrush is an electric style because it does a better job and it may last longer. If you don’t mind paying a higher price for a quality toothbrush and batteries, this is absolutely the best option. 

 

Reserve Dental Group is your Boca Raton Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry conveniently located in Boca Raton, Florida, for more information visit us online at http://reservedentalgroup.com or call our office to set an appointment 561-852-7773.

Facts on Periodontal Disease

Complications that arise in the suclus are collectively referred to as periodontal disease. The suclus is the gap between the gum and the tooth.The periodontal disease has within it two diseases; gingivitis which causes wounds and bleeding in the gums and periodontitis which destroys the bone and tissue that secure the teeth.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria. Although there are healthy bacteria in the mouth all the time, an increase and imbalance between the healthy and harmful bacteria cause the harmful bacteria to increase such that they form plaque on the teeth. Plaque being a soft mass is easily removable, but if left to accumulate it forms calculus, also known as tartar, which cements itself onto the tooth's surface making it difficult to remove. When the gums are inflamed, in the case of gingivitis, and medication is administered, especially in the initial stages, treatment is very effective. But the disease can recur if mouth hygiene is not maintained. In periodontitis, other than the gums being inflamed there is a deterioration of the gum tissues and bone structure that support the teeth. Gingivitis disease always precedes periodontitis disease.

These diseases can arise due to various diseases such as type 1 diabetes, down syndrome, AIDS and white blood cell disorders. The periodontal disease symptoms generally begin in the early 20s to the mid-30s, and if left untreated could progress to chronic and aggressive levels of the disease. In addition, stress, poor health, harmful lifestyle and smoking are also factors that contribute to the occurrence of these diseases.

The periodontal diseases can be treated through deep cleaning, scaling and root planing. The dentist will use both ultrasonic and manual instruments to remove the calculus. Once the cleaning is done, the dentist will check the sulccus around the teeth and determine their depth so as to ascertain the health of the gum. Should there be an abscess, sugery may be necessary. During surgery, diseased tissue is removed to completely eliminate the bacteria, repositioning, shaping of bones, gum and tissue is also done so as to support the teeth. To stimulate bone and gum tissue growth, guided regeneration technique may be used. In some cases, bone grafting may be done for severe bone loss. Should one loose teeth due to these diseases, teeth implants can be done.

In order to prevent these diseases, a healthy lifestyle, good oral hygiene and dental checks are of paramount importance.

Reserve Dental Group is your Boca Raton Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry conveniently located in Boca Raton, Florida, for more information visit consider us your Boca Raton Dentistor call our office to set an appointment 561-852-7773.

Improving Your Oral Health

Clinical studies show a direct link between poor oral hygiene and several systemic diseases. These include cardiovascular disease, bacterial pneumonia, osteoporosis, and complications of diabetes. In addition, tooth decay is one of the most common diseases world wide. However, there are many ways to improve oral health and greatly reduce the overall risks associated with these conditions.

Daily preventive care is one of the most important tools in decreasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental problems. At least one-third of all adult tooth loss is the result of gum disease. Brush teeth twice a day using a good quality soft bristle tooth brush and fluoride toothpaste. Stiff bristles can wear away tooth enamel over time leaving the tooth more vulnerable to bacteria. Always rinse the toothbrush well after use and store upright to air dry. Daily flossing is also essential. There are waxed flosses and dental floss holders to make the job easier. Tongue cleaning should be a part of daily oral care as well. Cleaning the tongue removes decaying food particles and dead cells and removes bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum infections. Following with an antimicrobial mouth wash will provide further protection against plaque forming between teeth.

Diet also has an impact on oral health. Sugars are most commonly associated with dental caries (cavities). Teeth are exposed to sugars in sweet foods, drinks, and as processed carbohydrates like those found in potato chips and other snack foods. Sugars lower the pH levels in the mouth which causes demineralization of the teeth. The acids in soft drinks, vinegar, and fruit juices can also lower pH. However, chewing sugarless gum is actually good for teeth. Over 80% of cavities occur inside the pits on chewing surfaces of the teeth. Chewing sugarless gum can remove particles along the chewing surface of the teeth, on the tongue and in between teeth. Chewing increases saliva, irrigating the mouth and helping to wash bacteria and decaying food away. Other foods that contribute to good oral health include fruits high in vitamin C, vegetables high in vitamin A, green tea, milk, and yogurt.

Smoking and chewing tobacco have been shown to greatly increase multiple oral diseases. The most severe is oral cancer. Over 80% of oral cancer patients are smokers and those who chew tobacco are four times as likely to develop oral cancer as those who don't. Tobacco also increases the incidence of both gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Good oral hygiene not only helps prevent the discomfort and expense associated with tooth decay, it is essential to overall good health.

Reserve Dental Group is your Boca Raton Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry conveniently located in Boca Raton, Florida, for more information visit us online at http://reservedentalgroup.com or call our office to set an appointment 561-852-7773.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease. In its mild stage, people might be unaware that the problem exist because often times there are no signs present this early on. It is basically an inflammation within the gums caused by plaque build up. When you fail to brush your teeth regularly you develop plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums. When starches and sugars found in our foods cross paths with bacteria normally found in our mouths, plaque can form on our teeth. If plaque is left for too long it develops toxins that causes irritation to the gums.

This is the beginning of the gingivitis stage and can easily be reversed. Leaving gingivitis untreated will lead to periodontist disease. Damage done to the teeth and jaw is now irreversible. Plaque can reappear on teeth within 24 hours and if left any longer, will harden into tartar. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist using a special instrument called a scale.

Common signs are swollen, red, tender gums that may bleed upon brushing. I would schedule a dentist appointment promptly if I noticed this. Time is of the essence and the sooner you get the problem controlled the better. Another common sign is red gums as opposed to pink. It is important to pay attention to any slight changes in your body as well as your teeth. A receding gum line or elongated teeth are strong indications that you've developed the disease as well. Some people may experience consistent bad breath or a bad taste in their mouth because of pockets that form between the gums and teeth.

These pockets trap bacteria and can develop even if the condition is not in its advanced stage. If you've noticed any of the things listed above, you possibly have this condition.

The best method is prevention. You should thoroughly brush your teeth twice a day and floss each time you brush. Some people brush after each meal which is fine if you have the time to do so. Flossing is also essential to healthy teeth and gums because it gets in between those hard to reach spots your brush can't reach. Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months as well. Preferably use a soft bristled tooth brush if your teeth are already sensitive to prevent further irritation. Most importantly, go see your dentist at least twice a year to make sure your teeth are healthy and strong.

 Reserve Dental Group is your Boca Raton Dentist for general and cosmetic dentistry conveniently located in Boca Raton, Florida, for more information visit us online at http://reservedentalgroup.com or call our office to set an appointment 561-852-7773.