The Mouth is the Mirror (4/4)
Medications
Some drugs, such as oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, and certain heart medicines, can affect your oral health. Just as you notify your pharmacist and other health care providers of all medicines you are taking and any changes in your overall health, you should also inform your dental care provider.
Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
Has anyone ever told you that you grind your teeth at night? Is your jaw sore from clenching your teeth when you're taking a test or solving a problem at work? Clenching or grinding your teeth can put excess force on the supporting tissues of the teeth and could speed up the rate at which these periodontal tissues are destroyed.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that causes altered levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes develops from either a deficiency in insulin production (a hormone that is the key component in the body's ability to use blood sugars) or the body's inability to use insulin correctly. If you are diabetic, you are at higher risk for developing infections, including periodontal diseases. These infections can impair the ability to process and/or utilize insulin, which may cause your diabetes to be more difficult to control and your infection to be more severe than a non-diabetic.
Poor Nutrition
As you may already know, a diet low in important nutrients can compromise the body's immune system and make it harder for the body to fight off infection. Because periodontal disease is a serious infection, poor nutrition can worsen the condition of your gums.
To help reduce your chances of developing periodontal disease there are several key steps that must be taken. A good home care needs to include brushing at least twice a day, and flossing daily. We have all heard that before but now you know why it is so important. You should also consider the use of an oral antibacterial rinse with the American Dental Association seal of acceptance is part of your daily hygiene regiment. Secondly, regular check ups and gum disease evaluations at least twice a year by your dentist are critical. Should you have periodontal disease, your dentist will be able to advise you on which treatments are best suited for you. They will also continue to educate you on ways to prevent the condition from developing.
IT'S ALL CONNECTED
On and off. North and south. Big and small And most importantly brush and floss
David M. Kaffey, DDS is the owner of Main Line Dental
Aesthetics located at 12 South Valley Rd., Paoli, PA. His
practice is dedicated to cosmetic, implant, and general
dentistry. For more information log onto www.davidkaffey.
com. Contact him at drkaffey@phillyfitmagazine.com.
Dr David Kaffey - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry, aesthetic dentistry, smile makeovers and extreme makeover dentistry to the areas of Malvern, Wayne, West Chester, King of Prussia, Exton, Devon, Villa Nova, Newtown Square, Berwyn, Radnor, St. Davids, Valley Forge, Main Line, Paoli and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Main Line Cosmetic Dentist
12 South Valley Road Paoli, PA 19301 | Ph. 866.930.1921
© copyright 2003 - 2008, Main Line Dental Aesthetics by Dr. David Kaffey, all rights reserved
