Dental Blogs

Is Periodontal Disease Risk Genetic?

Wellness

All our lives we’ve been told that periodontal disease is related to how well we brush and floss. “Only floss the teeth you want to keep,” is a common dental truism, referring to the fact that periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, and that flossing is supposed to protect against periodontal disease. Now, though, some research suggests that periodontal risk might be related to genetics. Does this mean that some people are susceptible to periodontal disease and some people are not, and that flossing doesn’t matter?

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Red Wine Protects Your Mouth against Infection

Wellness

There are two parts to the infection that threatens your teeth. First, there’s the invasion of bacteria into your mouth, which injures your teeth, causing cavities, and your gums, resulting in gum disease, detachment of your gums from your teeth, and more. The second part of the infection is when your body responds, creating an immune response that can be as destructive to your teeth or even more so than the bacteria themselves.

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Gum Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Wellness

There is a lot of evidence to support the connection between oral health and overall health. The connection between gum disease and cardiovascular risks grows stronger with every study. We know that there’s a mutually-reinforcing relationship between gum disease and diabetes. And we know that gum disease is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.

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Good Sleep Is Essential for Gum Health

Wellness

Sleep is vital to every part of your body, including your gums. If you are not getting the sleep you need, you are likely going to be at an increased risk for gum disease. If you want to keep your gums healthy, start by making sure you get a good night’s sleep every night.

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Tooth Loss Doubles Risk of Death for Cardiovascular Disease Patients

Wellness

We have long known about the associations between gum disease and heart disease, but now a large, new review gives us our strongest, starkest statement on the link: tooth loss can almost double your risk of death. That’s from a new review of more than 15,000 coronary heart disease patients showing that the number of teeth was directly related to a person’s risk of serious heart problems, including death.

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Is “Healthy Tooth Tea” Really Healthy for Your Teeth?

Wellness

If you wander through your local health foods store or Asian market, you’ll likely come across a section full of teas that claim to provide all kinds of health benefits. There are slimming teas, teas that offer clarity, healing, or caffeine-free energy, and, of course, there are teeth that are supposed to help your oral health. But do these really work?

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San Francisco Bans Chewing Tobacco at Sports Venues

Wellness

San Francisco made history last week when its mayor signed a ban on smokeless tobacco at all sporting venues in the city, including Major League Baseball’s new AT&T Park, home of the World Champion San Francisco Giants. Although this move is remarkable, it may be followed by an even more comprehensive ban that is currently being considered in the California Assembly.

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