Oral health and its link to adequate nutrition

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain a healthy diet and consume the proper amount of vitamins in order to remain in good health. Older adults are particularly susceptible to nutrient-deficient conditions, such as osteoporosis and anemia. In response to this need, researchers for the Journal of the American Dental Association studied a group of seniors ages 79 and older and analyzed their diets. What they found has since shed more light on the need for oral hygiene.

In this study, seniors who had fewer natural and healthy teeth were found to have poorer dietary habits and higher nutrient deficiencies. This same conclusion was drawn about older adults who do not have properly fitting dentures. In both cases, the seniors who maintained good oral hygiene and had either natural teeth or well-fitting dentures were more likely to eat a variety of foods and, consequently, consume a wider range of vitamins throughout the day.

Based on this study, the researchers at JADA concluded that it is important to encourage dental hygiene as a person ages in order to avoid needing dentures. In the event that a person does need dentures, however, it’s equally important that he is educated about the proper use and fit of false teeth.

One way to achieve this is by encouraging a healthy exchange of communication between older adults and their dentists. If you or someone in your family seems to not be eating as well due to deteriorating or ill-fitting teeth, make an appointment with your True Dental Discounts, dentist to talk about your options. Your dentist will be able to give you suggestions on taking proper care of your teeth as you age and can also make sure any dentures you already have are the correct size and shape for your mouth. By taking advantage of this link between oral hygiene and nutrition, you can make maintaining your health both simple and affordable.

Does your child need space maintainers

One of the primary purposes of a child’s “baby teeth” is to reserve space for the adult teeth growing underneath. Typically, baby teeth fall out once the adult tooth begins pushing its way through the surface and is ready to emerge. However, in some cases, children may have a baby tooth removed early if they get it knocked out in an accident or have it removed due to dental decay. When this happens, there is a chance that the tooth underneath is not yet ready to emerge, causing a gap to be present in the tooth line. Unfortunately, some adult teeth do not grow in until the child is 12-14 years old, and your pediatrician may be concerned about later problems with the permanent teeth that could be caused by the gap.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, when baby teeth are lost too soon, adjacent teeth may try to fill the space by tilting or drifting toward the gap. This is a problem because baby teeth often guide the permanent teeth into place, meaning a child may end up with a crowded or crooked smile once their adult teeth have emerged. To avoid this scenario, a pediatric dentist on your True Dental Discounts dental plan will likely suggest space maintainers. Space maintainers are made out of either metal or plastic and are custom-made to fit into a child’s mouth. The purpose of a space maintainer is to keep the gap left by a baby tooth open and to prevent movement of the other teeth. The AAPD suggests that it is much easier to correct the problem in advance with space maintainers than to fix it afterward with extensive orthodontic treatment.

Once a child’s adult tooth has successfully emerged and taken its natural place, the space maintainer is removed. Until then, it is important that the child: avoids gum and sticky foods; keeps the space maintainer clean with regular brushing and flossing; does not pull or try to adjust the space maintainer; and continues visiting the dentist regularly. That way, your pediatric dentist can monitor the progress of the child’s tooth growth and ensure he or she has a beautiful – and permanent – smile!

Conventional Dentures vs. Immediate Dentures

In the event that you need dentures, you will likely be faced with a choice between conventional dentures and immediate dentures. As the name implies, immediate dentures are inserted right after the natural teeth are removed from the gums.

Conventional dentures, on the other hand, are not inserted for about six to eight weeks, once the gums have healed. According to the American Dental Association, dentists conduct a preliminary visit in order to make models of a patient’s jaws for immediate dentures. These dentures are helpful because the wearer does not have to go without teeth for weeks while waiting for the gums to heal.

However, one disadvantage is that gums and bones can shrink over time, requiring people to get immediate dentures refitted. Talk to a knowledgeable dentist on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan to figure out which option is better for you.

Protect your kids’ teeth this Halloween

Your kids have just gotten home from a long night of trick-or-treating, and they dump pillowcases full of candy onto your living room floor. Before they dive in, you wonder: What can I do to protect their dental health when they are surrounded by so many treats? The first step, many experts say, is helping the kids organize their candy and allowing them to keep only their favorite kinds. By getting rid of all the extra candy, you will limit the amount of sugar they are exposed to over the following days.

Next, eliminate the sticky candies and hard candies. These types of treats remain on your teeth long after the candy has been consumed, causing more damage than a piece of chocolate or peanut butter cup would. In addition, hard candies can chip a child’s tooth or cause them to choke, so it is better to eliminate all of those varieties immediately. Getting rid of sticky candy is especially important if you have a child with braces; candies like Laffy Taffy can do damage to orthodontic appliances and potentially cost you hundreds of dollars in repair work. Finally, experts recommend that you set aside a certain time each day (for example, after dinner) to allow the kids to have a few pieces of their remaining candy.

By keeping a consistent time for treats, you can make sure your children brush their teeth immediately afterward to get rid of harmful sugars. This is not typically possible at school, so avoid packing pieces in their lunches. When in doubt, talk to a True Dental Discounts pediatrician about the best ways to prevent tooth decay in children. Halloween doesn’t have to be scary for your children’s oral health!

Keeping your baby’s teeth healthy

Even though your baby may have only one or two teeth, it is critical that you start establishing healthy dental practices at a young age. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, once a child begins eating or drinking anything other than breast milk, any teeth above the gums are at risk for decay. The Academy recommends not allowing a child to fall asleep with a bottle of anything except water and, specifically, avoiding allowing a child to drink juice out of a bottle. In regard to thumb sucking, it is important to take your child to a pediatric dentist if this habit is continued longer than age 3.

Long-term thumb sucking can lead to crooked teeth and bite problems, so make sure this habit is ended before any damage can be done. Finally, the Academy recommends starting to clean your baby’s mouth and teeth as soon as possible. Even if a baby does not yet have any teeth, parents can still use either a soft toothbrush made for infants or a cloth to clean the baby’s gums. Once teeth erupt, parents should use a soft-bristled toothbrush (in an age-appropriate size) to clean the child’s teeth twice a day with a tiny bit of toothpaste. By starting your child on a path of good oral health as an infant, you can set her up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. True Care Advantage will help you achieve this goal without breaking the bank.

Good oral hygiene may be linked to memory health

In the last decade, mountains of research have been conducted on the brain and the way a person’s memory changes over time. But before you reach for the Ginkgo Biloba, you may want to consider reaching for the toothbrush instead.

Researchers at West Virginia University are studying the effects of gum health on a person’s memory, and many experts predict that brushing and flossing may reduce the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s. Studies have already shown that gum disease increases a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke, perhaps due to the inflammatory response caused by periodontitis or microorganisms in the mouth. Now, researchers suspect that mental health can also be affected by a person’s gums. According to the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, connections have already been found between severe dementia and gum disease.

To keep your gums healthy, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily, as well as use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. Most importantly, schedule regular visits with a dentist on your True Care Advantage discount dental plan and ask questions. Staying informed is the first step to staying healthy.

Should you get your wisdom teeth removed?

Many people wait until they feel pain in their mouth to get their wisdom teeth – also known as third molars – removed. However, according to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, waiting is not always the wisest choice. Even if your mouth doesn’t hurt, extensive damage can be occurring under the surface.

People who wait longer often have more complicated procedures because the roots of the teeth grow longer and make removal more difficult. AAOMS estimates that 85 percent of people will eventually need their wisdom teeth removed and suggests that this is best done in young adulthood. Removing the teeth by the time a patient is a young adult helps ensure optimal healing and reduces the chance for periodontal infections in the surrounding tissues. Wisdom teeth are removed while a patient is under anesthesia, so it is important to talk to an oral surgeon on your True Care discount dental plan about your options. He or she will describe the procedure and give you tips to make your recovery as smooth as possible.