EIGHT BENEFITS OF TOOTH BRUSHING-THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR TEETH

11 02 2013

brushing

We are all aware that brushing your teeth on a regular basis prevents cavities and keeps you smiling.  But there are many other surprising benefits, including these eight that don’t have to do with your teeth!

  1. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, participants who did not brush on a regular basis had a 65 percent greater chance of developing dementia compared to those who did brush.  So don’t forget to brush!
  2. A study in the American Journal of Medicine found that regular brushing decreases the chance of stroke!  Wow – two very serious diseases can be curtailed with good oral hygiene.  And the list goes on…
  3. As any dentists, hygienist or physician can tell you, regular brushing (and flossing) helps to prevent gum disease.  But you may not know that along with causing stinky breath and unattractive smiles, gum disease is a major indicator of heart disease and the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.
  4. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology has shown that increased brushing decreases the risk of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and COPD.  Why, Bacteria which form on the teeth make their way into the lungs and respiratory tract, wreaking havoc along the way.
  5. Dental researcher Dr. Caitia Gazola has shown that having healthy teeth and gums increases the chances of having healthy babies, while dental disease can cause underweight pre-term babies.  And men- you aren’t off the hook!  WE strongly suspect that not brushing your teeth regularly can exclude you from the whole pregnancy process!
  6. Prevention Magazine has reported that regular brushing can help you maintain a healthy weight!  Why? Brushing your teeth indicates to your brain that mealtime is over.  Plus – food just doesn’t taste as good with squeaky clean teeth!
  7.  Okay guys – here’s your turn.  Several studies have shown that men with poor oral hygiene are at greater risk for erectile dysfunction.  Scared yet???
  8.  Have a heart – a healthy one that is!  The American Journal of Medicine has linked dental health with heart attack risk.

So if clean teeth, fresh breath, a beautiful smile and fewer cavities aren’t enough, here are eight reasons why brushing your teeth on a regular basis can save your life!  Plus let’s face it – going around with a big piece of lettuce stuck between your chompers is not the most attractive look in the world!

brush or die

Dr Donna Williams

Dr. Williams began her career in the field of dentistry at Howard University and graduated from Baltimore College Dental Surgery/University of Maryland. She is one of a select group of general dentists who have completed a fellowship in Holistic dentistry, and is also certified to use the only FDA approved laser for periodontal surgery. She is passionate about improving the health status of people throughout the community and beyond. Contact her at: Morningside Dental Care.


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The French Fry – A right of passage?

4 02 2013

baby with french fry

A right of passage:  That first time you take your child on a fast food adventure , isn’t it cute when they take that first nibble on a crispy McDonald’s french fry, often drenched in ketchup.  The child is so adorable, the french fry tastes so good.  Nobody thinks for a moment how we are starting that child down the road towards a possible addiction to unhealthy foods, towards diabetes, obesity and other health issues that will plague them for the rest of their lives.  That first trip to McDonald’s is commonplace in so many households here in the United States, and everywhere around the world, will start them on the path to dental disease  including cavities and gum disease.

The month of February is recognized as Children’s Dental Health Month.  I really think it is important to establish healthy nutritional and oral health routines from the time a baby is an infant.  Here are a few helpful tips that can help prevent dental disease from the start:

From infancy, the routine of cleaning your babies  mouth out after they have milk or formula is important. The sugar in the milk can cause decay from the time the first teeth erupt into the mouth.  It is especially important to refrain from allowing children sip on milk, or juice in a bottle throughout the day and especially at night.  Baby bottle, or nursing bottle caries are really a struggle for the parent and the child, when their baby teeth erupt into the mouth rotten from the sugar in these drinks.

Really pay attention to food labels.  Watch for the hidden sugars in a child’s diet that they might be consuming.  Try and avoid processed foods as much as possible.

Brushing after meals, and especially at bedtimes is critical, as most of the bacteria builds up in ones mouth at night when they are sleeping and their mouth is closed.  Also, ensuring that they develop healthy routines when it comes to brushing and flossing, starts when they are very young.  In fact, one of the best things you can do is let them watch you as you brush and floss so they can emulate some great behaviors.

Sealants, which are a thin plastic coating, a protective layer that should be placed on all of the back teeth, once they have erupted into the child’s mouth, have shown to significantly decrease the amount of dental decay a child will get in the grooves of their teeth.

Finally, soon after the teeth start coming into your child’s mouth, is the right time to take them on their first visit to a dentist.  Let them get used to the environment.  It will help to prevent them from developing a fear of the dentist, that their parent’s might have had.  It will also allow the dentist to evaluate their teeth and make sure to prevent and detect any dental problems before it will arise.  Let your children develop a lifelong healthy relationship with one of the best preventive healthcare providers they will have for their entire lives.

Happy Children’s Dental Health Month!

 

Dr Donna Williams

Dr. Williams began her career in the field of dentistry at Howard University and graduated from Baltimore College Dental Surgery/University of Maryland. She is one of a select group of general dentists who have completed a fellowship in Holistic dentistry, and is also certified to use the only FDA approved laser for periodontal surgery. She is passionate about improving the health status of people throughout the community and beyond. Contact her at: Morningside Dental Care.


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Categories : Dental Habits, Dental Health, Food

The Most Important Meal of the Day

24 01 2013

Healthy breakfast choices for dental care

Have you ever really thought about what you eat for breakfast? Most people choose a hot or cold cereal, or some type of microwaveable meal. And some choose to eat something that is definitely unhealthy, like a muffin, doughnut or some other sugary delight while buying that morning cup of coffee. The unhealthy choices are usually made while running late for work or school, and this is definitely not the way you want to start your day.

Yes, grabbing junk food for breakfast is the easy way and we do it without thinking. But that is the point- Stop and think about how you want to start your day. A healthy smoothie (fruit/veg combo…but leave out the sugar!) or a meal containing protein would be a better way to begin a day that is, probably at some point, going to include some stressful situations. If you start with a breakfast that is healthy and nutritious, then you are going to have the right tools to fight with when it is time to deal with stress during your day. And as we all know, stress is not good for your health or your teeth; stress may make you clench and grind your teeth, often subconsciously.

We need to make better food choices for all of our daily meals, for both for our health and our dental care. So, set the alarm to give you a few extra minutes in the am, and make a healthy choice for breakfast tomorrow.
 

 

Dr Donna Williams

Dr. Williams began her career in the field of dentistry at Howard University and graduated from Baltimore College Dental Surgery/University of Maryland. She is one of a select group of general dentists who have completed a fellowship in Holistic dentistry, and is also certified to use the only FDA approved laser for periodontal surgery. She is passionate about improving the health status of people throughout the community and beyond. Contact her at: Morningside Dental Care.

 


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RIVETED!

22 01 2013

obamas inauguration

Yesterday, I was riveted for the entire day watching the inauguration ceremony.  The pomp and circumstance are amazing, and I just loved  watching all of the politicians dressed in their finest.  Yes, I too was waiting on pins and needles to see the dress Michelle Obama would arrive in for the ball.  She did not disappoint.  She looked gorgeous and elegant as usual.  The dress was stunning!  The red dress complimented her complexion beautifully, and the halter top, showed off her fabulous arms.  She and the president flashed those fantastic smiles throughout the entire day.  Not withstanding, what the day means to our country of hope, and new beginnings, and bright futures. Yesterday was truly a monumental day, so full of meaning.  I could not keep my eyes away from the television for too long, for fear of missing any cherished moments.

One thing that was apparent so frequently, but not appreciated enough, was the constant smiles that the president and first lady flashed so effortlessly.  I wondered who maintains their oral health?  Just who is the dentist who allows the first family to smile so brightly without concern and embarrassment.  I thought about the previous presidents, some who had dental problems that affected them in a public way.  George Washington’s wooden teeth were actually made of gold and ivory.  His clumsy ill-fitting dentures were what made the sour expression we see in pictures.  It was not that he didn’t like to smile.  He couldn’t.  Washington had no teeth by the time he was middle-aged.  John Adams lost his teeth and refused to wear false ones, that is why he spoke with a lisp.  Abraham Lincoln was so afraid of dentists from an earlier painful experience, that he brought his own chloroform to the dentist when he needed another extraction, put it to his nose, and instructed the dentist to come over when he felt sedated enough.  As you can see in pictures, Woodrow Wilson’s teeth were awful.  He had a stroke, and it was said that he had atherosclerotic disease which was in part due to his poor oral hygiene.  When the White House released the records of George W. Bush, they said he had extensive dental work and no wisdom teeth.  Ronald Reagan had to have cortisone injections for TMJ problems.

When thinking about presidents and history, there is a long history of their oral health that historians gather as well.  It makes you wonder  how their oral health affected their lives.  Well, to Michelle and Barack’s dentist, keep up the great work!
 

 

Dr Donna Williams

Dr. Williams began her career in the field of dentistry at Howard University and graduated from Baltimore College Dental Surgery/University of Maryland. She is one of a select group of general dentists who have completed a fellowship in Holistic dentistry, and is also certified to use the only FDA approved laser for periodontal surgery. She is passionate about improving the health status of people throughout the community and beyond. Contact her at: Morningside Dental Care.

 


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Harlem!

19 01 2013

harlemweekI love Harlem.  I live and work here.  I love the energy of this place, I love the vibe.  Contrary to the portrait painted of living in the big city of New York, Harlem is still a neighborhood.  I walk to work most of the time, and here people greet you on the street in the morning, and it just gives a warm feeling everyday.  You see a lot of the older people on the side of the street who just keep an eye out and know everything that is taking place in the block. Harlem is truly a rainbow.  In the summers you see clearly that Harlem is a mixture, a melting pot, people live here from all over the world.  While walking up the street you see a kaleidoscope of many different shades and colors; black, brown, yellow, white, Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, European, African; hear so many different language; see so many different fashions, shapes and textures,  people with many different attitudes, the the lively and animated speak; and my favorite – all of the smiles!

One of the most fabulous things I love about the smile, is that they are all so different.  Each and every individual has teeth of  different shapes and shades, from super white, to shades of yellow, to brown, even dark brown; some have spaces, some are crowded together.  Oftentimes, some are missing.  The fact that no two individuals have the same teeth is fascinating to me.  Each and every mouth is different.  There is no monotony in the area of dentistry, it is a wonderful thing.  When I take a look around at the different teeth, the smiles, this is Harlem, this is home!

women-stats-multiracial-women1
 

 

Dr Donna Williams

Dr. Williams began her career in the field of dentistry at Howard University and graduated from Baltimore College Dental Surgery/University of Maryland. She is one of a select group of general dentists who have completed a fellowship in Holistic dentistry, and is also certified to use the only FDA approved laser for periodontal surgery. She is passionate about improving the health status of people throughout the community and beyond. Contact her at: Morningside Dental Care.

 


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