Smokers who are looking for a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes, and individuals who are hoping to wean themselves off of their nicotine addiction, have been turning to electronic cigarettes. But could e-cigarettes be linked with gum disease? Before you start vaping, check out the information below to discover more about this important oral health topic.
Root canals and extractions: neither of these is pleasant, but sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?
Both of these treatments are available when a tooth has suffered from an extensive amount of damage that can’t be remedied by a simple drill and fill procedure. But what are the differences between these two options, and what can you expect when you undergo each one? We’ve compiled some information below to help you understand what a root canal entails, as well as when a tooth extraction might be necessary.
When you aren’t feeling well and you want nothing more than to just sleep until you’re all better, the last thing that you’re probably thinking about is getting out of bed and brushing your teeth. Unfortunately, that could mean that your oral health takes an unexpected hit. So, to keep yourself on track, especially if you’ve been working hard to keep your teeth and gums strong, check out the tips below for keeping your teeth and mouth clean while you’re sick.
It might be challenging, especially when you’re really sick with the flu, but brushing your teeth every day will help keep your mouth clean, and it might even help you feel a bit more refreshed. Even if you can’t manage to brush your teeth twice a day, aim to brush at least once a day. Or you might try to just brush after you eat so that you can remove food particles that would otherwise remain in your mouth while you get some extra rest.
To remain on course with your flossing routine, consider keeping some floss on your nightstand so that you can reach over and clean in between your teeth even if you’re too tired to get out of bed. Hey, we know it sounds a little weird, but it’s better than not flossing at all, right?
If you are way too fatigued to brush your teeth and/or floss, try to at least use an antibacterial mouthwash a few times a day. This could help kill germs and keep your teeth and gums cleaner when you aren’t brushing as often as you normally would.
A range of illnesses could cause nausea and vomiting, and that means that damaging stomach acid will end up in your mouth and on your teeth. Ugh! You might assume that brushing your teeth right away is a good idea, but think again. It’s actually better to just swish with water and spit after you vomit. That’s because brushing right away could cause you to get all of that nasty acid all over your enamel. And you certainly don’t want that!
Want something more refreshing than plain water? You could also swish and spit with diluted mouthwash, or you could mix a teaspoon of baking soda in some water. Either way, the goal is to rinse the acid off your teeth and down the drain where it belongs. Then, wait about 30 minutes before brushing your teeth if you’re feeling up for it.
Cough drops can help you feel better by suppressing your cough or soothing your sore throat when you’re sick, and they could also help increase saliva production to reduce dry mouth. But if you’re going to use cough drops, it’s a great idea to avoid those that contain sugar, so check the label to make sure the ingredients don’t include sugar, corn syrup, or fructose. Otherwise, you might end up using cough drops that could actually contribute to the formation of cavities. Not cool!
The same goes for what you drink. Sure, it might be wise to consume sports drinks, which are often recommended to replace lost electrolytes when you’re sick, but have them in moderation if they contain sugar. And if you opt to drink some soothing tea, consider skipping the acidic lemon or cavity-causing sugar that you might be tempted to add to it.
Dehydration is a scary side effect that might occur when you’re under the weather, and drinking plenty of pure water could be an ideal solution. Plus, keeping your body hydrated might also reduce the occurrence of dry mouth, which could even be a side effect of medications that you’re taking to get better.
Why is it so important to combat dry mouth? Well, it could increase the risk of developing cavities, on top of being really uncomfortable. But, again, it’s a good idea to avoid sugary beverages when you’re working on staying hydrated. So when your doctor tells you to drink fluids, it’s probably best to stick with plain ol’ water.
Many people like to disinfect their toothbrush routinely, and you can certainly continue doing that while you’re sick and even after you’ve recovered, as it might help kill off any bacteria that may still be present on the brush. Another option is to just replace your toothbrush, especially if it’s about three or four months old and it’s time for a change anyway. But, according to experts, the odds of reinfection are slim, so you actually don’t have to replace a toothbrush after you overcome a cold or the flu, unless you have a severely compromised immune system.
After taking some medicine and getting plenty of rest, you’ll be back on your feet in no time. And with the tips above, your mouth could be just as healthy and clean as it was before you got sick. To be absolutely sure that your teeth and gums are in tip-top shape, though, consider making an appointment with your dentist for a professional cleaning and a checkup once you’re all better.
You use your toothbrush every day to thoroughly clean your mouth, but should you be making it a point to routinely disinfect your toothbrush? Will disinfecting your toothbrush help prevent the spread of colds or the flu? Is disinfection even really necessary, or is simply rinsing your brush enough?
Did you know that how much you weigh could have an impact on your teeth and gums, and that following the wrong diet might adversely affect your oral health? That’s right, there’s a connection between your weight and your dental health. Who knew?!
Do you grind your teeth at night? If your loved one has heard you grinding your teeth, or if you experience symptoms like jaw soreness or headaches, you might be clenching your teeth or grinding them while you’re fast asleep. And if that’s the case, it’s important to tackle this problem, which is referred to as bruxism. Otherwise, it could result in damage to your teeth over time.
What can you do if you find out that you’re a nighttime teeth grinder? Well, there are a few steps that you can take, so consider trying the following tips to get some relief.
Dental insurance might seem like just another unwanted expense at first, but once you learn why this type of insurance is so important, you’ll realize that it’s definitely worth it. Here are a few of the top reasons why investing in solid dental coverage will give you peace of mind and help you save money in the long run. And, believe it or not, dental insurance doesn’t have to be expensive either!
Unhappy with the alignment of your teeth? No worries; there are a variety of braces that could fix the problem and give you the straight smile that you’ve always wanted!
We’ve outlined the main types of braces that are available for both children and adults so that you can get an idea of what your options are. Check out the information below and then talk to your orthodontist to find out which braces would work best on your teeth.
Here at Spirit Dental, we’re always in search of ways to give back and do more to help others in need. Our latest initiative with the Smile Network is something that we are really excited about, and we think you’ll be too!
The world of dental care is filled with its own terms that you might have never heard of before. And that could make things pretty confusing pretty quickly. So knowing a variety of dental terms before your appointment could help ensure that you won’t be caught off guard when your dentist throws a new word at you. Plus, when you’re more informed, you might even have fewer questions to ask your dentist, or you might be ready to ask more in-depth questions about your oral health and treatment options.
To help you become a more empowered dental patient, we’ve compiled a list of some of the many dental terms that you ought to know.
Dental implants are really popular, and for good reason. Not only do they look and function just like real teeth but they’re also designed to last a long time too. So if you have a tooth that is beyond repair or you lost a tooth in an accident, your dentist might recommend getting an implant to restore your beautiful smile.
But, wait, how much is a dental implant going to cost you? After all, this is a pretty intensive procedure that takes time and a skilled expert to get the job done right. To help answer this common question, we’ve broken down the cost of dental implants below to give you an idea of what you can expect when you take the plunge.
As we move into 2018 and start a new year, we have an opportunity to embrace a fresh start when it comes to our health and wellness. But if you choose a health insurance plan to help cover your medical expenses for the next 12 months, what you might have noticed is that it doesn’t include coverage for dental care. And, unfortunately, that’s the norm.
Whether your insurance provider does not offer dental insurance at all, or they do but you can’t afford their plans, there are other options. Keep reading to learn about how you can bridge the gap between your medical and dental insurance needs.
Do you make it a point to read nutrition labels when you’re shopping for your groceries? Smart strategy! Knowing the ingredients in packaged food, as well as other important tidbits like the number of calories and the amount of fat and cholesterol in a serving, will help you make the best choices for your health.
But did you know that nutrition labels are set to change? We’ve gathered some info on what you can expect, as well as when you can expect these changes to take effect.
Did you know that if you have diabetes, your risk of oral health problems might be higher? But don’t worry; there are some easy steps you can take daily to support the strength of your teeth and gums. With the right strategy, you’ll be able to maintain that lovely smile for years to come, so check out the tips below to get started.
The holiday season is here again, which means it’s time to celebrate with delicious feasts and tasty treats. But before you overindulge, consider the health of your teeth and gums, which might take a hit as you focus on having fun at all of those holiday parties.
To help you maintain a brighter, healthier smile throughout this holiday season, we’ve compiled five tips that are easy to follow. Check them out below and get ready to impress your dentist at your next checkup.
With Thanksgiving and all of the end-of-the-year holidays approaching, it’s a perfect time to reflect on everything that we’re grateful for. And one thing that we are definitely thankful for is dental insurance.
If you have dental insurance, you already know about the peace of mind that this type of coverage can provide, and it may have already helped you save a lot of money too. If don’t yet have dental insurance, below are a few of the reasons why so many people love it.
Have you ever wondered if your genes play a role in how resistant your teeth are to decay and how healthy your gums are? Well, it turns out that, yes, like other medical conditions, oral health problems could be genetic. So if your family has a history of conditions that affect the teeth and gums, you might be at an increased risk of developing those problems as well, regardless of how strict you are with your oral hygiene routine. Check out the information below to learn more.
It’s that time of year again; open enrollment is here! That means it’s your chance to shop for the right health insurance plan, especially if you aren’t currently covered or you aren’t happy with your existing coverage for any reason.
What should you know about open enrollment in order to make the most of it? Check out the information below to learn the ins and outs.
Oh boy, your dentist has told you that you need to have your wisdom tooth—or teeth—removed. First, take a deep breath, and rest assured that this is a common procedure that is performed countless times every day by professionals all over the country. To get you prepared for the operation, here are a few helpful tips on what to do as well as what you can expect throughout the process.
It’s totally normal to be nervous when you have to see the dentist. Ask around and you’re sure to find that a good percentage of people will tell you that they dread trips to the dentist, and they may even postpone making appointments because they get so anxious. But the truth is that you do need to see your dentist regularly to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy for many years to come.
Dental appointments are a part of life, but they don’t need to be terrifying, and you can rest assured that you don’t have to feel anxiety when you go to the dentist. With the tips below, you could overcome your fear and receive the care necessary to maintain that gorgeous smile.
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Underwritten by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. | 5900 O Street Lincoln, NE 68510
This highlight is not a certificate of insurance or guarantee of coverage. Plan designs may not be available in all areas and are subject to individual state regulations. Premium rates may change upon renewal. This policy is renewable at the option of the insured.
This information is provided by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (Ameritas Life). Individual dental, vision and hearing care products (Indiv. 9000 Rev. 02-19), and vision policy form (Indiv. 9000 Rev. 02-19 V, dates may vary by state) are issued by Ameritas Life. This piece is not for use in New Mexico. The Ameritas Dental Network is not available in MT or RI. In Texas, our dental network and plans are referred to as the Ameritas Dental Network. Some states require that producers be appointed with Ameritas Life before soliciting its products.
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