Wellesley Dental Group Blog

Want your teeth to last for a lifetime? If so, you will need to make sure you are taking proactive measures to maintain good oral hygiene throughout your life! Some people may believe that having dentures is inevitable, but this is a true misconception. Tooth loss can be prevented with simple measures, such as keeping regular dental check-ups and maintaining good oral-care at home. Your dental professionals are trained to diagnose and treat oral diseases and common problems like tooth decay before it progresses to the point of no return for your teeth. Your dentist may also provide preventative treatments such as fluoride, which is known to help strengthen tooth enamel and reverse early tooth decay. In addition, brushing at least twice a day and flossing your teeth daily is key to avoiding dentures. If you notice that you still have a film of dental plaque and debris on your teeth after brushing, you may want to try switching to an electric toothbrush, which tends to help improve efficiency in cleaning. Maintaining a healthy diet and limiting items such as sugars and acidic foods and beverages can help lower your risk of developing tooth decay.

Each June, the Alzheimer’s Association along with many organizations and individuals across the United States observe Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Over 55 million people live with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The main goal of this national campaign is to educate and provide support to all those impacted by these conditions. Dementia has been linked to risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, depression, and even gum disease.

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can really do damage to your pearly whites, especially if you don’t realize that you have this habit. Individuals who suffer from nocturnal teeth grinding often do not consciously recognize that they are doing it while they are asleep.

Choosing what to eat becomes a daily choice filled with many options. But, as we all know very well, sometimes the things that taste super good are not always the best for our health, especially when consumed frequently. Previous research has suggested that the foods we consume play a role in the types of bacteria we have orally. In addition, these bacteria, some of which can be beneficial and others harmful, can influence our overall health.

Our bodies are amazing and intricate structures. Our immune system functions to help fight against pathogens that cause infection and disease. But, when chronic inflammation occurs, this immune response can be detrimental to your overall health.

Each May marks National Arthritis Awareness Month, which draws awareness to the condition. Approximately over 53 million individuals in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis, according to Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Arthritis can impact anyone of any age.

Could the bacteria in your mouth give clues about high blood pressure (hypertension) risk? An interesting new study reported by the American Heart Association (AHA) revealed a potential link between oral bacteria and high blood pressure. These findings, although not a definitive cause and effect relationship, can help improve research and our knowledge regarding hypertension prevention.

This month, in addition to every month after, we want you to know how important it is to protect yourself from facial injury. Every April marks National Facial Protection Month, which is dedicated to spreading awareness on oral and facial injury prevention. With spring comes nicer weather and many opportunities to go outside and play during either recreational or organized sport events. Unfortunately, many doctors are faced with an influx of patients who have endured head, mouth, and facial injuries due to sports-related accidents. Sports safety equipment including helmets and mouth guards can go a long way in protecting you from serious harm.

Feeling spicy? Everyone likes to spice up their life every now and then, but doing so frequently with the consumption of spicy foods can take a toll on your teeth.

There are a few things you should know about spicy foods when consumed in overabundance:

In 1987, National Alcohol Awareness Month was created and continues to this day. Founded by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), this annual observance is dedicated to educating the public about the health risks of alcohol dependence. Greater than 90,000 individuals lives are taken each year as a result of alcohol abuse and dependence.  In addition, about 29 people die in vehicle accidents due to an alcohol-impaired driver, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other campaigns that highlight the dangers of alcohol misuse include D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and Know Your Limits.