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Most of us know how important it is to take good care of our teeth by brushing and flossing every day, but you may not know that what you eat and drink also plays a vital role in good oral health. Here are five types of food and beverages that can make a positive contribution to the health of your teeth and gums:

• Water – When it comes to keeping your body hydrated, as well as washing away any leftover food particles inside your mouth, nothing is as effective as water. If you live in a city with fluoridated water, that’s even better since fluoride is an effective cavity-fighting mineral. But whether you drink fluoridated water or not, it’s important to keep your body – and that includes your gums – hydrated. So skip the sodas and energy drinks, many of which contain cavity-producing sugar and enamel-damaging acid, and opt instead for water.
• Dairy – You probably already know that the calcium in milk is good for your bones and teeth. But other dairy products are extremely beneficial as well. Recent studies have shown that cheese increases the pH level inside the mouth and decreases the risk of cavities forming. And the protein and calcium contained in cheese actually strengthens the enamel layer of your teeth. Yogurt is another good option since it not only provides the needed protein and calcium; the probiotics in yogurt promote the growth of good bacteria that helps to fight off cavity-producing bad bacteria. If you’re concerned about the fat content in dairy products, remember that low-fat options produce similar results.
• Vegetables – Leafy greens in particular are excellent choices for good oral health. They contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, including teeth-strengthening calcium. The folic acid that comes with leafy greens has actually been shown to be an effective treatment for gum disease. Celery and carrots are other good vegetable choices. Both are crunchy, which helps to clean the surface of your teeth as you chew. And carrots increase the production of saliva inside the mouth, which is crucial in maintaining proper pH levels and washing away food particles. The vitamin A contained in both celery and carrots, and the vitamin C provided by celery, are both tasty and excellent ways to give your gums a healthy boost.
• Fruit – Part of any balanced, healthy diet includes a variety of fruit. When it comes to promoting good oral health, apples are one of the best choices you can make. The crunchy nature of apples helps to clean your teeth and increase saliva production inside the mouth. Because apples are sweet, they can also be a healthy way to stave off sugar cravings. Include a variety of fresh fruits in your daily diet, but be careful not to over-indulge in citrus since the acid contained in those fruits can damage tooth enamel, and stay away from fruit juices that contain sugar.
• Nuts – A variety of nuts is another healthy addition to your diet. Almonds in particular are great for your oral health since they provide a good dose of calcium and protein – both of which are vital to healthy teeth and gums.

Enjoying a diet of fresh foods each and every day can make a huge contribution to your overall health and your oral health as well. And, of course, remember to brush at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, and visit your dentist twice a year for oral exams and cleanings.

If you’re a woman who is expecting a baby, you might have heard how some women choose not to go to the dentist while pregnant. This is because they believe that dental treatments might harm their babies. But this couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, the American Dental Association along with other well-respected organizations – such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to name just a few – all strongly recommend that women continue to receive regular dental care from their dentists during pregnancy.

Recent studies have shown that mothers-to-be with gum disease actually end up with bacteria in their bloodstream that can negatively impact their babies, sometimes resulting in very low birth weights and/or premature labor.

If you’re expecting a baby, it’s important to take care of your own oral health so that both you and your child will benefit. Here are some special oral health tips for mothers-to-be:

• Keep brushing and flossing. Now is not the time to fall behind on your regular oral hygiene routine. You should brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day.
• Follow up after vomiting. Unfortunately, morning sickness is an all-too-common problem for expectant mothers. If you vomit as a result of morning sickness, be sure to rinse your mouth with a mixture of one cup water and one teaspoon baking soda. Then, wait for an hour and brush your teeth. This follow-up will help to prevent erosion of the enamel layer on your teeth.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Stay away from foods with too much sugar, and choose instead snacks that are good for your overall health as well as your oral health. Great choices for snacks include fruits, nuts, vegetables and cheese. Remember that if you develop bacteria that leads to tooth decay and/or gum disease, you could transmit that bacteria to your unborn child.
• Visit your dentist for regular oral exams and professional cleanings. Nothing should change when you’re pregnant, so continue to visit your dentist on a regular basis. Unless you are especially prone to tooth decay or gum disease, most dentists recommend that you visit them twice a year for oral exams and cleanings.

If you’re an expectant mother, you will find out very quickly how many myths there are about pregnancy and what you should or shouldn’t do during that nine months. Some of these myths may be valid, but others are completely false. Protect your oral health and the overall health of your unborn baby by brushing and flossing every day, and visiting your dentist on a regular basis while you’re pregnant.

If you’re a parent, you have no doubt heard about the benefits of fluoride for children’s teeth. It is, in fact, an excellent way to strengthen the enamel on young teeth and help to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that shows up in both water and food. Unfortunately, the amount of fluoride that is normally found in our food and drink is seldom adequate enough to make a difference as far as oral health is concerned. That’s why so many communities have elected to add fluoride to their municipal water supplies, why fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes are so readily available, and why dentists offer fluoride treatments to their patients.

While it’s true that almost everyone can benefit from a little extra fluoride, as a parent it’s difficult to know whether or not your child needs additional fluoride treatments. If your tap water has added fluoride in it, that may be enough to give your kids an added dose of protection against tooth decay. If not, you may choose to buy children’s toothpaste and/or mouth rinses that contain fluoride. And if your child would benefit from even more fluoride, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments administered in the dentist’s office.

Although there is a wide variety of toothpastes and rinses with fluoride that are available over-the counter, there are some advantages to choosing a fluoride treatment provided by your dentist. The fluoride that your dentist administers would be at a much higher concentration than any product you could purchase at a grocery store or pharmacy, which means it would generally be much more effective. The process involved in getting a fluoride treatment at the dentist’s office normally takes only a few minutes. Your dentist may either brush the fluoride solution directly on the teeth, place it in a tray that the patient holds inside their mouth for a few minutes, or provides a fluoride rinse that the patient can swish around inside their mouth and leave it there for a short period of time. After the treatment, your child shouldn’t drink or eat for about 30 minutes while his or her teeth absorb the fluoride solution. That’s it! This simple process is typically repeated every 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on the needs of your child.

To find out more about the importance of fluoride, and to decide what would be the right choice for your family, talk to your dentist.

All of us experience unusual physical symptoms from time to time, and that includes issues involving our teeth and gums. While it’s true that you should avoid calling the dentist every time you experience a slight bit of discomfort or sensitivity, you also should not hesitate to contact your dentist if you believe you have a problem. Like most other physical ailments, the sooner you address an oral health issue, the easier it will be to treat. Here is a list of some common problems experienced by people of all ages, along with a recommendation for if and when you should call your dentist.

• Bleeding gums: If you notice an occasional small amount of blood in the sink after you brush your teeth too hard or floss vigorously, it might be nothing to worry about. But if your gums bleed on a regular basis – whether or not you experience soreness along with that bleeding – you should schedule an appointment to see your dentist right away. Bleeding and/or sore gums can often be a sign of gum disease.
• Bad breath: Having bad breath after eating garlic and onions or some other pungent food is normal; having persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away is not. If you have bad breath on a regular basis, it could be a sign of tooth decay or gum disease. It’s a good idea to call your dentist if you can’t find a remedy for your bad breath on your own. Even if it’s not cavities or gum disease, your dentist can help you find a solution for the bad breath.
• Sensitive teeth: If your teeth are sensitive to hot and cold food and drinks, there could be a variety of reasons why. Worn enamel can cause sensitivity, as well as receding gums and gum disease. Many people find relief from sensitivity by using a toothpaste designed to reduce it. But if your teeth have become sensitive all of a sudden, of if that sensitivity seems to be on or around one certain tooth, you should call your dentist right away since this could be a sign of infection or an abscess.
• Dry mouth: If you suffer from chronic dry mouth, it can be very annoying. It can also increase your risk for developing tooth decay. Dry mouth can be caused by a number of things, including allergies that force you to breath with your mouth open or as a side effect of certain medications, for example. There are over-the-counter products designed to address this issue, but if those don’t work for you, your dentist can help you to alleviate this condition.
• A toothache: Having a toothache doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a cavity, but chances are if you have a toothache that doesn’t go away within a few hours, you either have a cavity or some other dental issue. If you have a persistent toothache, call your dentist and schedule an appointment right away.

If you notice unusual symptoms involving your teeth and gums, a good rule of thumb is this: if it doesn’t go away on its own, or if the pain or sensitivity is very intense, call your dentist. Remember, when it comes to resolving oral health issues, the sooner you make an appointment, the easier they are to address.

If you’re scheduled to have a tooth pulled, it’s perfectly normal to be a little anxious about it. Fortunately, modern dental technology means that virtually any dental procedure – including tooth extraction – can be performed with little or no discomfort for the patient. Here’s more good news about having a tooth pulled: you can be proactive in helping your mouth to heal at home after the procedure. In fact, many dentists will agree that at-home follow-up care is an extremely important part of any tooth extraction. Here are a few steps you can take at home after the procedure to speed up your recovery.

• Treat your pain. As is the case with any procedure, your body will heal much faster if you’re able to get adequate rest afterward, and you won’t be able to rest soundly if you’re in pain. For tooth extractions, most people can find comfort with over-the-counter painkillers. But if that doesn’t work for you, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist for a stronger prescription. Just make sure to follow the directions carefully and only take the medication for a brief period of time until you are no longer in pain.
• Take a little time off work. Most dental patients can return to work relatively quickly after the procedure, but you should definitely plan on taking at least a whole day off after the extraction. Remember the importance of rest, and the best way to get sufficient rest is by staying home.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity. This is particularly important for the first 1 to 3 days after your procedure. Don’t bend over, exercise or lift anything heavy.
• Be careful about what you eat and drink. Immediately after the procedure, and for a few days afterwards, limit yourself to drinking beverages and eating only very soft foods. This will be more comfortable for you, and will also help to protect your stitches. Avoid using straws to drink liquids, since sucking can cause some bleeding to start again at the point of incision.

If you’re very nervous about your upcoming procedure, talk to your dentist about dental sedation methods that may help to relax you during your visit. Afterwards, follow these simple steps and any other instructions provided by your dentist to speed up the recovery process. After a week or so, you should be as good as new. But if you’re still experiencing discomfort after that period of time, contact your dentist.

When it comes to gum health, there is no substitute for regular trips to the dentist for oral exams and professional cleanings. No matter how diligent you might be with your own oral hygiene routine at home, you may still be in the early stages of gum disease and not even realize it. That’s why it’s so important to have your gums examined by your dental hygienist and/or your dentist at least twice a year.

There are, however, several natural home remedies you might want to try that have been shown to be beneficial to gum health.

• Vitamin C: Research has shown that people who consume very low amounts of vitamin C in their diets are also more likely to develop gum disease. It just so happens that vitamin C is good for your overall health as well, so including more foods that contain vitamin C in your daily diet can provide many benefits. Foods like oranges, strawberries, red peppers and cantaloupe are all good sources of vitamin C.
• Tea tree oil: Studies conducted over the past several years indicate that tea tree oil may be helpful in treating the early stages of gum disease. Be warned, however, that tea tree oil itself can actually be toxic, so don’t try to create your own concoction at home. Instead, look for toothpaste that lists tea tree oil as one of the ingredients.
• Cranberries: Researchers have found that some of the compounds found in cranberries actually help to control inflammation caused by gum disease.
• Neem: This name may not sound familiar, but studies conducted on the neem plant have shown that it’s very effective in fighting plaque buildup and helping to prevent gingivitis. Look for oral health care products that contain neem oil or neem gel. While we may not be familiar with neem in the U.S., people in India have chewed on neem twigs for years to help alleviate a variety of oral health issues.

Although all of these natural treatments have been shown to be effective at maintaining healthy gums, keep in mind that it’s important to make sure you have healthy gums to begin with. The only way to be certain of the condition of your gums is to visit your dentist for an oral exam and professional cleaning. Once you have your clean bill of oral health, you should feel free to experiment with some of these natural methods for maintaining your gum health.

On a hot, sunny day, there’s nothing more refreshing than a tasty cold drink. And it’s especially important to stay hydrated as the weather heats up. But remember that not all beverages are healthy choices. Here are a few oral health tips to help you enjoy your favorite summertime beverages and keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape throughout the upcoming season.

• When in doubt, choose water. When it comes to keeping hydrated, why not choose the beverage that’s best for your oral health AND your overall health? Water not only washes away leftover food particles and bad bacteria, it also helps to restore the pH balance inside your mouth. If you have access to fluoridated tap water, that’s an even better choice.
• Another healthy choice is milk. A great accompaniment to virtually any summertime meal is an ice-cold glass of milk. The calcium will help strengthen your teeth, and the protein in milk helps to maintain that all-important pH balance inside your mouth.
• Vegetable juice is another tooth-healthy beverage. This shouldn’t come as a big surprise. After all, if vegetables are good for you, then vegetable juice should be as well, right? That’s true, but only if the vegetable juice is low in sugar. Believe it or not, some are loaded with it, so read the label carefully and only choose those brands that are lower in sugar.
• Enjoy a refreshing iced tea! Some of the compounds in tea actually help to fight bacteria growth inside your mouth, and that in turn can help to reduce your risk of forming cavities and gum disease. Just make sure that your iced tea doesn’t contain sugar!
• Avoid carbonated drinks and/or sugary drinks. It may be tempting to have a cold soda at the beach or some other fun summertime venue, but the combination of the sugar and the carbonation of these drinks make them especially bad for your teeth and gums. Sugar feeds cavity-creating bacteria inside your mouth, and carbonation eats away at your tooth enamel.
• Whatever beverage you choose, use a straw. This is especially important for those rare occasions when you choose to drink an acidic or carbonated beverage – such as fruit juice or soda, for example. Using a straw helps to minimize the amount of time that your teeth are in contact with the less-than-healthy beverage.

It’s important in the heat of summer to stay hydrated. Just remember to do that with a tooth-healthy beverage, and you’ll continue to enjoy good oral health all through the summer months ahead.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that good oral health is an integral part of good overall health. Studies conducted over the past several years have shown a connection between gum health and a variety of serious conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. But an even more surprising discovery is that avoiding gum disease, in addition to other healthy habits, can help people to either avoid developing Alzheimer’s disease altogether or at the very least delay the onset of symptoms.

Research shows that even though a family history of the condition may increase the likelihood of a person developing Alzheimer’s, it is still possible to reduce that risk by engaging in healthy habits on a day-to-day basis. Some of those include eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and practicing a thorough oral hygiene routine.

Recent studies have found that people who develop periodontal disease early in life are four times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease later on. The connection appears to be inflammation. The inflammatory nature of gum disease may also destroy brain cells. In addition to practicing a daily routine of at-home oral hygiene, it’s also vital that people visit their dentists at least twice a year for regular exams and professional cleanings. No matter how diligent you are in brushing and flossing on your own, you’ll never be able to remove all the tartar that builds up on teeth over time. But routine cleanings by a dental professional will remove that buildup and reduce the risk of developing gum disease. Your dentist will also be able to detect periodontal disease in its very early stages and recommend effective ways to treat the condition before it progresses.

Although it’s sobering news to realize that Alzheimer’s disease impacts an alarmingly high percentage of our aging population, it’s heartening to know that each of us can take steps to reduce our chances of developing the condition. You can start by eating a healthy, plant-based diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, along with lean protein. Avoid using tobacco and don’t drink alcohol to excess. Remember the importance of exercise. And don’t forget the connection between gum health and Alzheimer’s disease. Be sure to brush and floss twice a day, and visit your dentist routinely for professional exams and cleanings. Medical researchers have yet to develop an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, but we can still take steps to either delay the onset of the disease or avoid it altogether.

Spring is here! And while it’s true that this is a beautiful time of year to get outside and enjoy the nice weather, if you suffer from allergies the spring months can be some of the hardest with regard to your allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, allergies not only cause issues like nasal congestion, headaches, and sore throats; they can also negatively impact your oral health. What follows are oral health conditions and symptoms that could be caused by springtime allergies.

• Toothaches – A toothache is often the result of tooth decay or some other issue taking place with a particular tooth. But a toothache can also result from allergies. When mucus builds up in your sinuses, it can cause pressure in and around your molars. If your toothache isn’t directly connected to a specific tooth, it could be caused by allergies.
• Dry mouth – Allergies can often make it difficult to breathe through your nose. That means your only alternative is to breathe through your mouth. That can result in dry mouth, and that in turn can lead to a reduced amount of saliva and an increase in tooth decay.
• Cold sores – If you’re prone to getting cold sores, they can be more common during the spring and warm weather months, since exposure to sunlight can act as a trigger for the formation of a cold sore.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your mouth – and if you are also suffering from springtime allergies – remember that the two might be related. Just to be on the safe side, you should call your dentist if you’re not sure. Remember that a toothache can also indicate tooth decay or an infection that has spread to the pulp of the tooth, both of which are conditions that require the attention of your dentist. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist will be able to recommend a variety of treatment options as well.

For advice on how to treat springtime allergies, talk to your doctor. As you take steps to reduce your allergy symptoms, remember the importance of taking care of your oral health as well. The best way to do that is to maintain a regular oral hygiene routine at home by brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once. And remember to visit your dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and oral exams. Taking care of your overall health and your oral health is the very best way to enjoy spring and all this season has to offer!

If you’re a parent, you are probably already planning an Easter basket for your little one. Kids love waking up on Easter morning to find a basket full of treats left behind by the Easter Bunny. And if you’re like many parents, you enjoy assembling the basket almost as much as your child enjoys finding it on that special day. But instead of stuffing your child’s Easter basket with the typical array of sugar-filled treats, remember how much damage candy can do to your child’s teeth – not to mention the sugar rush and associated sugar crash that all kids go through after indulging in typical Easter basket treats. Since most kids are more prone to cavities than adults, adding an abundance of sugar-laden candy at Easter isn’t going to help. Here are some tooth-healthy Easter basket options to consider:

• Decorated Easter eggs – What could be a better choice for an Easter basket than Easter eggs? To make these really special, include hard-boiled eggs that you decorated yourself, rather than eggs that your kids decorated and will no doubt recognize. Remember that eggs need to be refrigerated, so only include them at the last minute, and keep them in a special place inside the fridge so your kids can find them and snack on them later.
• Cheese sticks – Most kids love cheese, and it happens to actually be good for their teeth! So include a variety of individually wrapped cheese sticks in your child’s Easter basket. Just make sure that they’re a special brand or variety that your little one isn’t accustomed to having, which will make them a special treat for Easter morning.
• Nuts and/or trail mix – Another healthy alternative to candy are small packets of nuts or trail mix. Most kids love nuts, especially if they come in small, kid-size packages!
• Toys – Whatever toys you choose for your child’s Easter basket, they are sure to be a big hit! Traditional choices like stuffed animals are always good, but you might consider toys that will occupy your child’s time on the holiday – like crayons, coloring books, watercolors, or games, for example.

Of course, every child loves candy, so you might want to include a few pieces of your child’s favorites along with a variety of healthy snacks and toys. There’s no reason why you and your child can’t still make happy memories of Easter morning without all the sugar. In fact, you might be surprised at how much your child appreciates and enjoys the variety!