Diet and Oral Health

Tooth decay is a big part of a person’s oral health, and if you let it linger, it causes extractions, fillings and the like. Decay occurs when the sugar does react with the plaque bacteria, forming acids that will eventually destroy your enamel. After his happens a few times, this will cause a hole to form, and the cavity gets in there, causing further decay far quicker. 

So how does food play a part in this? decay is caused by sugars, all of which come in different forms, with most of the “ose” words being the source for this. fructose, glucose, and sucrose are common ones. And they are, of course, gross, damaging the teeth.

Processed foods have higher sugars in them and tend to appear higher on the ingredient list. Try to read the ingredients when you’re out shopping for food. 

When you do read, make sure you’re mindful of the different types of items that are in there. if there isn’t “added sugar” that doesn’t mean that it’s totally sugar free, just there’s no extra sugar.   They might contain carbs, so make sure you’re sure of what you’re putting in your body before you have it. 

Can drinks and foods cause erosion? 

Yes they can, especially if they’re acid.  T his dissolves the tooth enamel. Anything with a smaller pH than 5.5 may cause this. some alkalis do have a higher pH that will cancel out the different pH that the acidic foods have. 7 is the number that’s right in the middle. 

Here are some foods that are more alkali: 

• Mineral water 

• Milk 

• Cheddar cheese 

Some of the more acidic foods are: 

• Lager 

• Orange juice 

• Pickles 

• Grapefruits 

• Sodas 

• Vinegar 

• Red wine 

So if you are going to have them, you want to make sure that you balance these out. for example, you have some fruit? Eat some cheese after that. 

Some good savory snacks may be good as well, such as: 

• Raw veggies 

• Breadsticks 

• Nuts 

What about Sweets 

You need to bear in mind that there’s no set amount of what you can drink in terms of sugar, and same with eating, but it’s more based on how often you consume these. Sweets are fine but have them during meals. Don’t just walk around in between and have some cookies. 

Try to reduce the sugar foods, and consider having xylitol gum, in order to help offset the effects of tooth decay. Sugary foods and items cause a ton of different health issues, such as increasing body weight, heart disease, and other problems. 

Why this matters 

So you might wonder why your diet has such an intimate connection with oral health. Well, whenever you eat or drink something, the teeth get thrown under an attack of acid for up to an hour, because the sugar naturally reacts with the bacteria inside plaque, the sticky parts of the teeth, and creates acids that are harmful. So make sure that you have these foods and drinks during mealtimes and limit the time that the mouth gets at risk.

When you constantly consume acids, it’s harmful, and the acid will erode or dissolve the enamel, and expose your dentine under this, and make the teeth unsightly and sensitive. 

Diets rich in vitamins, minerals, and even fruits and veggies help with this.   you can prevent gum disease, which will cause you to reduce the tooth loss, and bad breath that’s there. 

So yes, keep your diet good, and keep your teeth aligned, for the best results you can get!

Keeping Salivary Glands Healthy

Saliva is a part of the normal activities that you do, and thanks to that unique composition, you were able to stimulate your taste buds, and also have a better chewing and swallowing experience, without it being dangerous. Why does it matter? What are the components, and how do they work together? Read on to find out. 

Function and Location 

In your mouth, you have six primary glands, with three on each part of the mouth that create saliva. These are known as the parotid glands, and secret saliva into the mouth, above where your upper molars are.   The submandibular glands create ducts in the jaw area between those molars that are lower, and the sublingual does empty the saliva under the tongue.  Enzymes within the saliva are what start the process of digestion prior to you even having it in your stomach. This happens during chewing, where it softens and then lubricates the food to swallow better. Saliva also helps to moisten the mouth so that you can speak better.

It also works to wash away the bad bacteria in the teeth, lowering the acidity within the mouth and helping to prevent the onset of tooth decay and also gum disease. 

The  calcium, fluoride, and phosphorus that are found within saliva also work to repair the enamel too. 

Components of Saliva 

Saliva is something that’s produced in our mouth, and we make about 600 milliliters every single day. Almost all of it is water, with less than 1% of this being calcium, sodium, potassium, immunoglobulins, proteins, magnesium, and also mucins and enzymes. They are all parts of saliva, and while only a small percentage, they are vital for sustaining the health of the mouth and body.

Below are each part: 

• Proteins: they are the second leading component, and made up to help with eliminating bacteria, and protecting the teeth. They also may help with tasting since they naturally interact with those taste receptors within the mouth.

• Enzymes: they are found within saliva and are proteins which are specifically responsible for starting various reactions within the body that aid with the digestive processes.   For instance, there are enzymes that break down the fats and starches placed in food in your mouth. 

• Mucin: this is like what you feel when you have mucus buildup when you get colds, but it also does work with digestion too. It’s a protein that’ll help with swallowing food, and also keeps the mouth nice and lubricated. 

• Electrolytes: these are the calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are used to harden and strengthen the enamel of the area, reducing cavity risk. 

Keeping the Salivary Glands healthy 

Here are the different things you need to do to keep the salivary glands nice and healthy: 

• Limit tobacco and smoking 

• Limit the intake of alcohol and avoid using recreational drugs 

• Monitor your health conditions such as diabetes 

• Let doctors know if you’ve got a medication that’ll cause dry mouth 

• Talk to the doctor about ways to prevent snoring and breathing via the mouth at night 

• Maintain proper oral hygiene in order to reduce mouth bacteria. 

• See the doctor when you see different infections 

• Make sure to stay hydrated through drinking water 

Your salivary glands are important and if they start to dry out, it can be a problem and lead to infections. Taking care of them now aids you immensely in the production of saliva, and keeping them healthy, so don’t forget to take care of them whenever you can do so for your own health.

Green initiatives for Oral Health

Your oral health matters, and making sure that you go green with him is so important. Our carbon footprint is increasing. With more people becoming aware of just what these harmful activities do to you, it’s imperative to look at different ways to go green, and also have a healthier, better planet.

A lot of times, we don't look at the oral health that we have, and instead, ignore it. but this is something you can be a little more mindful of, and when you partake in these green initiatives, you’re able to commit to improving the world. 

Here, we’ll go over some of the green initiatives for oral health. 

The Plastic Problem 

Plastic is everywhere, and as a form of waste, it’s something that you have to be mindful of. For instance, we have food packets that are made of plastic, and plastic bags and straws that litter our world. 

However, did you know that plastic is also present in our oral health products? While it is safer plastic than what you might get from a bag, it’s still not good for the environment. In fact, plastic waste from toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss is definitely a big old problem.

And of course, if you’re not careful that plastic accumulates.   So, if you’re not considering the plastic that you use when you’re taking care of your oral health, it’s going to create a major problem. 

Eco Friendly Alternatives 

With plastic out of the question, one might wonder what the eco-friendly alternatives are for dental care products.

The first, is bamboo toothbrushes. These are made with bamboo, which is an eco-friendly material.   Bamboo is one of the most sustainable sorts of materials out there, and is very strong too.   this is a great alternative if you’re looking to ditch your plastic friend.

The second is biodegradable floss. This is made with a plastic that’s easy to break down. Sometimes, they’re also made with other sustainable alternatives as well.   This is a great one, and also much easier on your teeth as well, since it can be easily tossed away.

The third is refillable toothpastes.   You can get a bottle of toothpaste, and then once you’re done using it, refill it once again. not every retailer does this, but it’s a great measure if you want to save your resources. Plus, it can be cheaper in the long haul too. 

Dentists and Sustainability 

Dentists do have a bit of a hand in the sustainability of the products that are out there.

While not every dentist is out here frothing at the mouth to use sustainable dental products, some are taking the initiative and trying to give customers exactly what they want. That means that a lot of dentists are using these types of products, or giving them to their consumers when they get their teeth cleaned.

While it isn’t as prevalent as it should be yet, this is a great alternative to just using the same old plastic when you’re taking care of your teeth.

Small Changes, Big Impact 

All of the changes to your oral health are not that huge. Most of these also cost a fraction of what you might have to pay out for the plastic dental products. But, despite the slight price increase, the effects of this are much faster.

When you make these small changes, both in your dental routine and in the items that you choose, you’ll find that you’ll make a big environmental difference. So don’t wait, go green today, and see for yourself just how much of an impact your actions can have.  

What Makes your tongue Gray

Normally, tongues are pink and healthy, and you may notice that it’s a varying degree. It’s usually not something that you think about the most, and usually, your teeth are the primary focus. But if you see it become grayish, concerns might be there. Some people may wonder what the cause of a gray tongue is, and whether you should worry about this. Here, we’ll go over what it is, the risk factors, and the treatments. 

It’s Usually Leukoplakia 

This is a condition where you get gray and white patches that appear within the mouth. They may be on your tongue, or on the gums and cheeks. They’re usually not painful and you might not even notice it, unless you look at the tongue, or you scrape all of this off.

If you smoke a lot, have lots of alcohol, or like to chew tobacco, you’re usually not going to get this.  It’s not something that you shouldn’t pay mind to, but for the most part, it’s not dangerous. Untreated though, you might get oral cancer. 

Oral Lichen Planus 

This is an inflammatory condition that affects some parts of your body creating bumps that are reddish-purple, and they may be rashes too.

This usually creates gray and lacy lesions on the tongue, and this can usually create ulcers in some people, sores, or a sensation that it’s burning.

Most of the time, you usually won't even be able to determine how this is  caused, but this happens usually when there are immune responses. If your immune system is weakened, you also may have some risk for this.

There are other triggers too, including: 

• The flu vaccine 

• Some chemicals and anagram metals 

• Hepatitis C

• Some pain relievers like ibuprofen or arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and blood pressure medication 

This is usually not harmful, but usually about 1% of the cases account for oral cancer 

Oral Thrush 

This is basically candida, and it’s a yeast. This is basically a fungus that’s present naturally within our mouths, but when it’s overgrown, it can cause problems over time. This also happens to babies and adults that have immune systems which are weakened. This usually creates patches that are white, with a cottage cheese texture on them, including where your tongue is.

They’re usually not totally removed easily, and usually, it’s bleeding and red. You shouldn’t get rid of this yourself. You should definitely go see your doctor, as it can be caused by immune systems which are weakened, cancer, diabetes, and even some antibiotic resistance due to years of poor treatment and imbalance. 

Bad Oral hygiene 

Finally, you may just have bad oral hygiene that’s causing this.  You may have some possible inflammation in your tongue papillae, the little hairy projections, and they become inflamed due to the bad oral hygiene. These cells get trapped, and that causes an appearance of a white coating.  Usually, it also comes with bad breath too. 

The best way to treat this is to see your dentist, as they can offer you the ideal treatment.

Most of the time, they’ll look it over to make sure it doesn’t turn into cancer, and they’ll ask you to quit those lifestyle habits like smoking and alcohol for now.  Usually, lichen planus goes away naturally, but there are some gels which help.

For the most part, oral thrush is treated by prescriptions, depending on the situation.

The bet way to treat this yourself, is to make sure that you take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing and making sure that you clean your tongue. 

What to do about Cracked Molars

 When it comes to consuming food, molars are the MVPS. They do a lot of the work, and sometimes, if they crack, it can be a major problem.  You do need them.  Here, we’ll go over the cracks in molars, what to do about them, and the treatment before you get to the dentist, and when you get there. 

How it Happens 

Cracks in molars happen due to the fact that they’re on the mouth’s side and back, and they absorb the brunt of the force whenever you chew something. Hard types of foods such as candy, and even chewing on some ice leads to this. 

Teeth grinding also causes this a lot of times too. Sometimes, you may not even realize that this is happening until you get a shot of pain through the mouth, and it can be quite sensitive as well, especially when drinking or eating foods that are cold or hot.  If you suspect this, it’s better to get an appointment sooner than later to look into this and get relief fast! 

What to do when waiting for Appointments 

Obviously, not every person’s able to get in immediately to their dentist. If you’re not able to, there are a few things to figure out before seeing them. 

Make a note first and foremost of the location of the pain. That way, you’re able to create a better experience, and also have a cracked molar treatment that is pinpointed. 

Try not to chew on the side with the crack, so that it doesn’t get worse or cause further problems 

Keep anything hot or cold away from that area if you can, especially liquids. 

The Diagnosis and Treatment 

If you’re able to get in, the first thing is they’ll look at the teeth. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a crack that only affects the outer layer of the teeth, they’ll look to see if they need to do something immediately. Hairline fractures are usually not a big deal, and if they’re superficial enough, the dentist may be able to just polish and smooth out the area and dissipate the pain as well. 

If it’s more than that however, they may need to do something else.  If there is an infection, or even deeper fractures, then the treatment will be based on crack severity.  Dentists may recommend crowns, root canals, or extraction of the teeth, depending on the situation. 

If there is a situation where you may need to get a root canal or a crown, they’ll do that.  they may need to do this if there is an internal infection problem with the teeth. 

Extraction is the final case scenario, if they’ve exhausted the options, or if the tooth is so far gone that they’re unable to save it. 

They only do that as a last minute thing because molars are integral to tooth structures. If you’ve cracked one, it’s even more important to go see a dentist that will look at this.  This is especially true if it’s sensitive to heat and cool. 

The sooner you’re able to see a dentist, the better it will be.  Hairline fractures are always a best case scenario, and early treatment does mean a difference between just crowning it, getting a root canal to handle inner infections, or an extraction. 

Good oral hygiene keeps this maintained, and when you do regular cleaning that check on the teeth, they keep these molars, which are so hard working mind you, healthy and happy for the long-term, benefitting your mouth in the best ways that it can possibly do so as well.

How to Practice Sustainable Oral health Practices

The environmental changes are something a lot of us stay abreast of.   It has now become something that we are looking at with our oral care products. 

Here, we’ll go over some of the different royal care practices to think about, and how to choose more sustainable types of oral care products as well, so you are reducing your carbon footprint on all fronts. 

What to Look for With sustainable Toothpastes and mouthwashes 

Sustainable toothpastes and mouthwashes are something a lot more people are looking for. They want something without any harmful ingredients and chemicals, but also comes in a manner that’s more eco friendly. 

To find good sustainable toothpastes, you should first look at the packaging. You can actually get toothpaste in glass jars, cardboard boxes, and aluminum tubes as well. if the packaging is important, you definitely should look for this. 

The ingredients, however, are what’s better to look at. You want to make sure that it doesn’t contain palm oil, sodium lauryl sulfate, glycerin, triclosan, or anything artificial.   Try to get a toothpaste that also doesn’t have microbeads, because not only are those made of plastic, but they are toxic substances.   Some are even vegan and cruelty free as well.

While it might not be necessary, this is worth looking into, and you might want to look for activated charcoal toothpaste as well. 

How to Find a Sustainable Toothbrush

Then there are sustainable toothbrushes.   Some people like manual toothbrushes, but others might like electric ones. While these are great, they’re not commonly made with sustainable materials. 

However, bamboo brushes tend to be a better option if the environment is something you worry about. They’re made from a directly sustainable material, and are biodegradable, so you can just compose this when it’s done.   They also tend to be gentler than the plastic ones, which are better for those who have sensitive gums.

However, electric toothbrushes have a longer life, and you only need to replace the heads when they are done. While electric might not be as environmentally sound, they do tend to get deeper with the cleaning, so if you do have gums that are sensitive, or maybe some tooth conditions, it’s easier on that.

Overall, you should look at your budget, and how you want to use these toothbrushes, and from there, get something that fits your needs, and also use less plastic than other normal toothbrushes out there. 

Reducing Waste During Your Dental Routine 

Now that you know a little bit about the toothbrushes and toothpastes that are out there, here’s a few ways to reduce waste during the dental routine.

Obviously, try to go sustainable.   Some people have even made their own oral care items in order to reduce their waste.   Reusable toothbrushes, especially those that are electric, will be best fit for the job, especially since they are much easier to replace.

If you invest in high-quality items, you will also reduce waste. It will last a lot longer, and better too.

When you’re trying to save water, make sure to not leave the sink running. It might sound silly, but you actually waste a ton of water when you do that, so make sure that you do turn the faucet off when you aren’t using it.

A tongue scraper as well might be good, especially if you don’t want to wear out your toothbrush. Metal tongue scrapers last a long time, and they can reduce the plaque in the mouth.

Trying to go zero waste with your tooth products can be a challenge, but here we gave you a few ways to be sustainable.

All About Cavities

 Cavities are a form of tooth decay where bacteria generate acids, destroying the enamel of the tooth, and the dentin underneath it.  you might wonder about what these normally entail. Well, we have a little more to tell you about cavities, and why they are no good. 

Signs and Symptoms of Cavities 

Most of the time, you do know when you might have problems. The first, is your teeth hurt, aching a little bit. The second, is there’s  activity when it comes to sweet, hot, and cold drinks. The third, is a pain when chewing. 

Cavity Causes 

The main reason for cavities is because we don’t take care of our teeth and are eating too many sugary foods. 

While the mouth houses a wealth of bacteria, building up sticky film called plaque happens when the bad bacteria eat a whole bunch of sugars. 

When we drink and eat certain foods, the bacteria create what’s called acids. These dissolve the protective elements beneath the plaque that’s retained. The acids remove various minerals directly from the enamel. When not treated, cavities form. 

The decay then happens in the major parts of your mouth known as the enamel, and the enamel then gets further brown down as decay gets further into the dentin, eventually reaching the tooth pulp. That of course, can lead to some major damage and possible removal of the tooth. 

Diagnosis and Prevention 

The easiest way to diagnose these cavities is by looking at the surface of the tooth. X-rays also help to see where the cavity goes, and how far into the pulp or dentin of your teeth. 

If there is one, you will need treatments, but there are different ways to help you with preventing this. 

The first is to brush and floss these on a daily basis. It reduces the amount of plaque that builds up in the mouth on the daily. 

The second, is to eat less starchy and sugary foods as often, in order to reduce the acids that damage the teeth in the mouth.

When brushing, utilize a fluoride toothpaste. This will strengthen the teeth.  The treatments also provided by dentists, or utilizing fluoride supplements are further recommended too. 

Try to use mouth rinses that are antibacterial, in order to reduce the bacteria that’s responsible for activities. 

Finally, if you have gum, chewing gum with xylitol in there also decreases the overall bacterial growth of the area, and can make things easier on you. 

Treatments for Cavities 

Most of the time, treatments involve filling in the cavity especially if the enamel isn’t able to be fixed.  If you have a chance, get sealants early to prevent this. 

If it gets serious, you might need a root canal. 

Children can get the baby molars and later on those permanent molars sealed. The fluoride varnish on both the permanent and primary teeth protect you from decay.

When not treated, it actually can cause significant decay. Eventually, the decay, when left uncontrolled, permanently destroys the teeth. There is also the possibility of an abscess developing as infection spreads to the tooth root. 

The cavities that occur are a result of poor hygiene and retained dental plaque. The specific bacteria can also hit the gum line, causing gum disease in the mouth, which at that point, you’ll need a periodontist to treat. because they can penetrate the mouth, they may also create nerve damage too if you’re not careful. 

Simply put, with cavities, treating them right will eventually lead to prevention. Utilizing preventative care stops the worst of the damage from happening and builds better dental health.