In a study of 1566 community-dwelling Japanese elderly who were followed for 5 years, the risk of developing dementia was elevated in individuals with fewer remaining teeth.

Individuals with 10-19, 1-9, and no teeth had 62%, 81%, and 63% higher risks of dementia, respectively, than individuals with >20 teeth. Likewise, an inverse association was observed between the number of remaining teeth and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Source:Society for the Study of Addiction

If cost is a factor for why you do not see a dentist regularly, remember that by having dental insurance you are able to have dental care services at a much more affordable cost.  In addition most dental insurance plans provide free preventive dental care hopefully so you will not need to have larger more costly dental care services.

A new review published online today in the scientific journal Addiction has found that dental patients with substance use disorders have more tooth decay and periodontal disease than the general population, but are less likely to receive dental care. With drug use increasing by approximately three million new users each year, this is a problem that will not disappear anytime soon.

According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), 15 million Americans have crown or bridge replacements and three million have dental implants –  with this latter number rising by 500,000 a year.  

A research team comprising scientists from the School of Biological Sciences, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the School of Engineering at the University of Plymouth, have joined forces to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a new nanocoating for dental implants to reduce the risk of peri-implantitis.

The results of their work are published in the journal Nanotoxicology.

People with dental phobia are more likely to have active caries or missing teeth, a new study from King’s College London has confirmed.

The latest study, published in the British Dental Journal, aimed to explore the social and demographic correlates of oral health and oral health related quality of life of people with dental phobia compared to those without dental phobia. The findings showed that people with dental phobia are more likely to have one or more decayed teeth, and missing teeth as well. In addition, the study showed that those with dental phobias’ reported that their oral health related quality of life is poor.

This type of headache pain can have several causes from nerve injury to dental problems. The cause of the headache behind the ear will determine symptoms and treatment.

With regards to dental problems. 

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) can cause aching behind the ear and it usually accompanied by jaw pain. The temporomandibular joints are the ball and socket joints of the jaw. These joints can become inflamed and painful. While most people with TMJ inflammation feel the pain in the jaw and behind the ear, others may just experience a headache behind the ear.

TMJ can be caused by:

• stress
• teeth grinding
• arthritis
• injury
• jaw alignment

If you feel you maybe having TMJ issues talk it over with your dentist. As a dentist will be able to confirm if in fact that is the case and help treat it.

Babies Avoid fruit juice up to the age of  one year, say the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Parents should avoid offering fruit juice to infants under the age of one year, unless advised by a doctor, as it provides “no nutritional benefit” and may harm their health. This is the according to new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

How dose oral bacteria make colorectal cancer more aggressive? 

Though recent study, scientists have identified a molecular mechanism through which an oral bacterium accelerates colorectal cancer growth.

Tests have shown that around a third of people who develop colorectal cancer also have the bacterium, which has the name Fusobacterium nucleaturm. Their cancer also tends to be more aggressive, but it was not clear why until the study

How to stop bleeding gums at home. 

People can usually treat minor gum bleeding at home using good oral hygiene and natural remedies 

One of the most common reason a person would have bleeding gums is because of plaque or tartar buildup.  Plaque/tartar buildup allow bacteria to grow along the gum line.  By having good oral hygiene you can prevent sensitivity and bleeding. 

Tips to Avoid Bleeding Gums

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Use a toothbrush that is not hard of stiff 
• Change out your worn toothbrush. Toothbrushes that are frayed will not clean effectively 
• Floss daily but correctly.  Do not use your floss roughly,  be gentle pushing it down and hugging the sides of each tooth as you floss 

Additional Tips if  You Have Bleeding Gums 

• You can gently press gauze in the place until the blood stops
• You can use ice. Ice packs are especially helpful to soothe minor mouth injuries that cause swelling such as cuts and scrapes. 
• Use mouthwash. Mouthwash can kill bacteria and reduce inflammation to sooth sore, swollen and bleeding gums
• Avoid Smoking.  Due you know that smoking is a major cause of gum disease, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention ? 

Taking care of your dental health at home is very important but it dose not stop there.  If you see your gums bleed while brushing/flossing make sure to tell your dentist.  Having proper dental care from a dentist is key in maintaining your dental health. 

If cost is a factor. Make sure to have dental insurance there are many different types of dental insurance plans that can help you keep your own dentist or that is low in cost helping you better afford your dental care.   If you have any questions about the dental insurance plans we offer please call our office at  310-534-3444 M-F  8-4 

New research which was published in the journal  Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology,  suggests that a substance commonly found in mouthwash destroys “friendly” oral bacteria that help maintain normal blood pressure.

Baking soda and lemon juice combinations have been a popular home remedy for some time now.  People claiming that baking soda and lemon juice can improve the skin, treat heartburn and whiten your teeth.

However, several studies have examined the health benefits of baking soda and lemon juice separately, yet there is not much research to support the combined effects of baking soda and lemon juice

Mouth sores are a common complaint, and they can occur for a variety of reasons, including irritation, hormonal changes, and infection.

In most cases, mild  irritation causes a sore to appear, by avoiding the irritant can help you prevent mouth sores in the future

In other cases mouth sores can for due to underlying health conditions.  Since some mouth sores can be contagious and may require treatment, if you are concerned about chronic or long lasting mouth sores you should speak to your doctor about them.

Until you are able to see your dentist there are some home remedies you can do to have some relief from dry socket.

Dry socket occurs when a blood clot falls out of the extraction site of a recently pulled tooth. It can be very painful but here are some tips that may help

• Use Hot and Cold Compresses:  You can apply a cold compress to help relieve pain and reduce swelling the day after the tooth extraction.  Afterwards switch to using a hot compress on the outside of your face.
• Honey:  Studies show that by applying a honey dressing it decreasing pain and inflammation in people with dry socket
• Aloe Vera: Research show that applying aloe vera to a tooth extraction site can promote healing and even prevent dry socket form forming.

These are helpful tips, however know when to see your dentist.  If you have sever pain after a tooth extraction and have any symptoms of dry socket you should see your dentist for treatment. Your dentist can diagnose dry socket by a visual examination, and provided needed treatment

The best practices for healthy teeth and gums include at home care of regular brushing twice a day, flossing daily and avoiding certain types of food and beverage.

The follow are suggestion to help with sensitive teeth.

* Use Desensitizing toothpaste. There are a few over the counter toothpaste options for sensitive teeth to pick from. Your dentist also may recommend a brand of toothpaste to use as well.

* Use a soft bristled toothbrush
* Avoid drinking or eating highly acidic foods.
* Use a mouthwash/rinse with fluoride
* If you grind your teeth,consider getting a mouth guard.

Tonsil stones occur when bacteria, food, and other debris, become trapped in the folds of the tonsils.

The debris turns hard, forming tonsil stones. They appear as white or yellowish hard mass. People with tonsil stones may not know what they are. Tonsil stones can become a home for bacteria and may have an unpleasant smell, causing bad breath in people that have them.

Teeth cavities are holes tht develop on teeth as a result to dental decay. Cavities can cause toothaches, they also can worsen over time and cause other larger dental problems, if left untreated.

However by practicing good oral hygiene and dental health care you can help to prevent cavities from developing

At some point most people will experience red bumps or spots on the roof of their mouths. A common causes would be from food, dentures, or a mouth or throat infection

Red spots on he roof of the mouth can be irritating, but generally harmless and they should go away on their own. However if you are concerned or do not know what is causing the spots you should see a doctor as they can be a sign of something more serious.

Many people use whitening strips and other bleaching products to make their teeth whiter. However, studies reveals that too many whitening products can damage the teeth.

Various studies now show that whitening teeth with bleaching products that contain hydrogen peroxide harms the teeth and can endanger the tooth health

Facial pain can result from dental problems, tooth decay, dental/oral infections, and nerve disorders. People who experience severe, recurring, or persistent facial pain should see a doctor/dentist.