are there any other ways to prevent cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease *besides* brushing at least twice a day, regularly flossing, regular dental cleanings/check ups, using mouth wash(my dentist recommends ACT which I use), scraping the tongue, avoiding sugary foods? Does sugar-free gum help? What about hydrogen peroxide?

Anthem Dentist Offers New Patients $150 Gift Certificate

Hello everyone!

Published statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 27% of children and 29% of adults are living with untreated cavities. Many know they have these cavities, but because they are lacking affordable dental care coverage, they are left untreated. This is a very unhealthy practice. Whether you have full coverage dental insurance or a discount dental plan, you need dental care as a part of your overall health regimen. Healthy teeth reflect a healthy body. Unhealthy teeth reflect an unhealthy body.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), researchers have found that periodontitis (the gum disease that can cause tooth loss) is associated with stroke, cardiovascular disease, and bacterial pneumonia. Other reports show an unhealthy mouth may be linked to diabetes. Without regular dental care including cleanings and check-ups, small cavities or painful teeth often lead to tooth and gum decay resulting in not only tooth loss, but these much more serious conditions.

It is bad enough that you will lose your teeth if you do not seek dental care, but you may also be affecting your brain, heart, and immune system. Mark Feldman, the president of the ADA states that “so many Americans still lack access to basic oral care” and calls it a “disgrace”. Feldman also states that there is a need to “get better dental care to the millions of Americans who don’t receive it.”

Dental care is not a luxury. It is a necessity. I took a friend to the dentist a few weeks ago to get a wisdom tooth pulled. The oral surgeon pulled the tooth and found the culprit that caused the tooth to rot… a popcorn hull. Both my friend and I were astounded that something so small and seemingly insignificant could cause tooth loss. Then I asked her when the last time she went to the dentist was. Her response: “Ten years ago, because I didn’t think I could get an affordable dental plan.” Enough said.

- Ken S.

Anthem Dentist Offers New Patients $150 Gift Certificate

It’s often been said that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. That’s never been proven, but the fact remains that dogs put their mouths places humans would never dare to (or be able to, for that matter). Dogs don’t think twice about sifting through garbage, digging in the yard and licking themselves wherever they can reach. They also use their mouths to carry toys as well as dirty “treasures” from the yard. With their mouths working overtime, good dental care for dogs should be a priority for any dog owner.

A dog’s teeth can be a good indication of overall health. But as important as good dental hygiene is for dogs, many dog owners overlook it. Just like in humans, it’s important to practice routine oral maintenance on your dog. Not only can it help its teeth stay healthy now, but it can also protect against more serious issues later.

If bacteria are allowed to grow in a dog’s mouth, plaque can accumulate on the teeth. If it’s not addressed, it can escalate to more serious concerns. Since a dog’s mouth is used to play and eat, among other things, it’s important to keep it in top shape. The best way to do this is through maintenance and prevention.

Believe it or not, most dogs three years of age and older have some form of gum disease. If a dog’s teeth are neglected, plaque can form, setting the stage for advanced oral diseases. Plaque can bind with minerals in a dog’s saliva and create tartar, which attaches to the teeth and can cause irritation to the gums, or gingivitis. Left untreated, tartar can get under the gum line and dissolve the bones that hold the teeth in place, causing the teeth to become loose and possibly fall out. Periodontal disease, as it’s called, is treatable, but once your dog’s teeth fall out, there’s little to be done. The best line of defense is regular brushing and check-ups.

Home care is important, but it’s also critical to have your dog’s teeth examined regularly by a professional. A simple visual exam can be done in an office visit, but more comprehensive care, such as x-rays and tartar removal, has to be done while the dog is under sedation. It’s safer for both the dog and the medical staff, and it gives the vet an opportunity to do a more thorough exam. Some vets even specialize in dental care for dogs, so it’s worthwhile to investigate your options.

It may take time before your dog is comfortable having its teeth cleaned. If you use a toothbrush, be sure to get your pet familiar with it, so he’s more likely to allow you to use it. A toothbrush allows you to reach teeth more effectively, but a finger brush may be easier to maneuver. Just be sure it fits well, so it won’t fall off in your dog’s mouth. Find a toothpaste formulated for dogs. Human toothpaste is made to be spit out, while a dog will swallow it, so don’t use human products, just to be on the safe side. Many dog toothpastes have added flavors that are attractive to dogs, such as beef, chicken or vanilla.

While brushing your dog’s teeth, take this opportunity to examine its mouth for any signs of disease. Bad breath (that which is out of the ordinary for your dog), yellowing or crust at the gum line, swelling, or pain when you touch your dog’s gums should be noted. These could be signs of infection and should be addressed immediately. Not doing so could result in tooth loss for your dog.

Another important consideration for healthy teeth is your dog’s toys. Excessive chewing on hard surfaces can lead to a dog’s teeth being damaged. If this occurs, bacteria can get into the tooth and cause infection. Bones can splinter and lodge between teeth, rocks can break teeth and toys can cause bleeding gums if a dog chews too aggressively. Be sure to monitor your dog during play time, and only give it toys that are appropriate for your pet’s size and activity level.

Your dog’s food and treats can be a good tool for treating plaque. Dry food can help attack plaque, while there are dog treats on the market that are especially formulated to address the issue of plaque and oral care.

Dental care for dogs consists of relatively simple maintenance. Following these tips can keep your dog healthy for a lifetime.

Anthem Dentist Offers New Patients $150 Gift Certificate

Most pet owners can spot their pet’s health issues right away. One health problem that may not be so easy to find is dental disease. Cats, just like humans, can have problems with their teeth. As cats age, most do have some form of periodontal disease. Only a vet can tell for certain, but there are things that you can look for when you suspect dental problems with your cat.

Prevention

Most vets would agree that dental problems can stem from other sorts of health issues and should not be ignored. Proper health check ups with the veterinarian and spot dental problems before they get out of hand, In addition, there are several steps you can take as a pet owner to help your cat have healthy teeth and gums.

To help your cat’s teeth stay in top shape, there are several things you can do. First, make sure your cat sees the vet, sick or not, once a year for a health exam. The veterinarian will be able to spot dental problems during annual exams. Your vet will look for bad breath, tooth decay, and missing teeth. All of these can point to more serious issues.

Another way to help your kitty have healthy teeth is to brush your cat’s teeth. Yes, there are special toothbrushes and paste that will help your kitty keep his or her teeth healthy. Daily brushing is recommended, but for most cats, twice a week will suffice. Most pet stores carry cat toothbrushes and soft rubber brushes that fit on your finger. If your cat is reluctant, try to do only a small portion of the mouth at first and then add more each day. If you have a kitten, start brushing his or her teeth very early to get used to the routine. There are specially made toothpastes that are available. Most cats enjoy the taste and will think of brushing as a treat.

One product that is available to help keep kitty’s mouth healthy is specially made rinses. These are good for older cats and cats that already have dental issues. These special rinses come in antiseptic gels, rinses and flavored sprays. It is not recommended to use these instead of brushing, but the rinse will help with tooth decay.

Just as dogs can benefit from chewing so can cats. There are numerous products available for cats to chew to help their teeth and gums. Some are flavored with fish or poultry, which appeals to most cats. The abrasive texture of these dental chews helps remove food, debris and plaque that can build up on your cat’s teeth. Extreme caution should be used when giving your cat a bone to chew for this purpose. Poultry bones are extremely sharp and brittle. Small pieces of bone can become lodged in your cat’s throat or digestive tract causing serious trouble. Most vets recommend that chicken and turkey bones never be given to cats.

Major Problems

Proper dental care in your cat is very important. Problems with the teeth can be caused by or can cause other health problems including periodontal disease, feline stomatitis, Feline Odontoclastic Oral Resorption Lesions (FORL) and malocclusion. Most of these dental problems are treatable with proper medical care.

Periodontal disease is caused by build up of plaque and tartar. When tartar and plaque forms on the teeth is forces bacteria and food debris underneath the gum line and around the jawbone. This can cause inflamed gums and swelling and bleeding gums. Bad breath is another common sign of periodontal disease. This is the most common type of dental disease in cats and can be treated with a cleaning along with the use of antibiotics. Sometimes, extraction of some teeth is needed for extreme cases.

FORL is another form of dental disease often found in cats. This can be compared to a cavity in a human. Lesions on the teeth begin to form in the enamel of a tooth. When the plaque accumulates, the tissue around the affected tooth becomes inflamed. Sometimes the irritation can extend into the pulp cavity and can kill the tooth. If your cat has FORL, the vet will usually recommend extracting the affected tooth.

Feline Stomatitis is a very serious form of dental disease in cats. This is usually seen as an autoimmune disease and is most commonly found in cats that already suffer from more serious health issues. Stomatitis is caused when the body becomes allergic to the plaque on the teeth. Sometimes it can spread into the throat causing painful red lesions. When a cat has stomatitis, it will become very uncomfortable and may stop eating. You should seek the advice of your veterinarian right away.

Another dental problem is malocclusion — when the teeth are not aligned properly. With a human, braces are in order. With cats, severe forms can cause eating problems and lead to severe weight loss.

Along With the many other advances in technology, you can now find specialized vets that deal with orthodontics. So maybe your tiger will someday be wearing braces while the other cats laugh behind his back.

Anthem Dentist Offers New Patients $150 Gift Certificate

These days in the fast moving life where everyone is so busy there is hardly anytime left to take care of our body, teeth, etc. Even if we take good care of ourselves, it is important that we do not overlook the dental care of our kids.

It is extremely important that you understand the basics of children’s dental and oral care, because at this stage of dental care you are going to lay down a healthy and a strong dental care for the future. One best way which can help you to familiarize with the oral care needs of your child so that they have strong dental habits in the future is that you can educate yourself with the various fundamentals of children’s dentistry.

Oral Hygiene

It is important that the children’s brush your teeth twice and regular dental check ups are important in building good oral hygiene at an early age. It is important hat you brush your child’s teeth until they are big enough to do so. Brush your child’s teeth the right way. Select a small and a soft brush and pea size tooth paste is enough as it will not interfere in your brushing and it will not form much foam also.

Preventing Tooth decays by Cavities

Tooth cavities can be easily be prevented by good oral health, however some additional steps can be incurred to maintain your child’s tooth against the attack of cavities. You can use toothpaste which contains fluoride. As soon as your child’s permanent teeth have erupted it is important that you speak to the dentists about the application of sealants. Sealants are clear and a protective coating applied on the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects against the cavity from shielding against the bacteria and plague. They are mostly placed on the back teeth, because these are the areas where there are more chances of being attacked by cavities.

Dental Habits

Although the children can develop good oral habits at an early age it is equally important that they break the bad habits like going to bed with a bottle, this is an extremely bad practice drinking any fluid which has sugar in it can cause the tooth decay very fast as the sugar substances react on the teeth throughout the night which in turn can cause the tooth decay as early as possible. Another habit which is considered as bad is the thumb sucking or the finger sucking habit. It is also a very bad practice to swallow the tooth paste.

Dental Problems

Incase your child does develop cavities in his baby teeth that it is important that you visit a dentist and get his cavities filled. Do not be in the assumption that there is no requirement of the cavities to be removed because the baby teeth would inevitably fall down, many kids do retain their baby kids for a long time and the cavities can be very painful at times.

Anthem Dentist Offers New Patients $150 Gift Certificate