Dr. Rotondi and Dr. Iannucci attended a continuing education course in which Dr. Lin was a guest speaker on the importance of overall health and how it relates to dental health. We hope to use this knowledge when preparing treatment plans for all of our valued patients.
A common myth is that primary or baby teeth are not important because they will fall out. While it is true that we do lose those teeth eventually, they do serve essential functions. Losing baby teeth early can result in negative consequences.
The main reason for the early loss of baby teeth is decay. As soon as the first tooth erupts in the mouth, it is susceptible to cavities. With proper oral care, cavities are mostly preventable.
Untreated decay leads to severe pain and infection. If you suspect your child might have a cavity, see your dental professional immediately. Taking good care of their primary set of teeth will help to keep your child healthy and developing properly.
We all know that smoking has numerous adverse health effects. Smoking is a risk factor for a variety of life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, lung cancer, and oral cancer.
However, it also negatively affects oral health. Most of us know that cigarettes cause yellow or brown stained teeth, but there are other serious impacts on oral health to consider.
Increased oral cancer risk: Aside from contributing to other cancers of the body, a smoker has a five to ten time greater risk of developing oral cancer when compared to a non-smoker. This risk becomes even higher when regular alcohol use is a factor.
Leukoplakia: Regular cigarette use may lead to leukoplakia which are thick white patches that occur on the cheeks or gums. This is a precancerous condition in some cases.
Increased periodontal disease risk: Smoking accelerates the breakdown of the supporting bone and oral tissues in the mouth. If left untreated, tooth loss will occur.
Poor Circulation: Poor or weak blood flow is associated with smoking. This can lead to poor healing and lower immunity to certain bacteria.
Nicotine Stomatitis: The chemicals in cigarettes, along with the heat produced by smoking eventually cause inflammation of the saliva glands located on the roof of the mouth.
Dry Mouth: Smoking also causes Xerostomia or dry mouth. Having a consistently dry mouth increases the risk of developing cavities.
Increased Staining: Teeth become stained over time due to our diet, but smoking accelerates the rate of tooth discolouration. What’s more, once staining is present on the teeth, its rough surface makes it easier for plaque or tartar build-up to stick to.
Bad Breath: Halitosis, or bad breath is another effect of cigarettes. Paired with dry mouth symptoms, it can be difficult to have a mouth that feels fresh.
Altered Taste: Many smokers report having reduced taste or altered taste when eating foods.
Do you have any of the symptoms mentioned above? Contact us to help you get your oral health back on track. Call us now: (905) 856-2535
Quitting smoking can be challenging for most people, so it is important to use as many resources as you can to increase your chances.
Once you quit smoking, your body starts to get healthier almost right away. Within twenty-four hours, your risk of a heart attack begins to reduce. After a prolonged time of being smoke-free, the risk of other conditions such as cancer, lung disease, and heart disease begin to decrease as well.
Take control of your oral health, and overall health today by pledging to quit smoking.
Dentists use x-rays to get a clearer picture of your oral health. Find out some of the reasons why below!
Dogs have 42 teeth, cats have 30 teeth, pigs have 44 teeth and an armadillo has 104 teeth.
The average human produces 25,000 quarts of saliva in a lifetime. That is enough spit to fill 2 swimming pools.
In Medieval Germany, the only way to cure a toothache was to kiss a donkey.
Flossing once a day increases your life expectancy by 6 years.
An elephant’s tooth can weigh over 6 pounds and measure one foot across.
In 200 AD, the Romans used a mixture of bones, eggshells, oyster shells and honey to clean their teeth.
The average woman smiles approximately 62 times a day while men only smile ~8 times a day!
A person’s set of teeth is as unique as their fingerprints. Even identical twins do not have the same set of teeth.
