How to Handle Dental Issues When You’re Traveling for the Holidays

The upcoming holidays are an excellent time to travel, visit family and friends, and relax. But what happens if a dental issue springs up while you’re not at home? This kind of emergency can cause total panic. Are there ways to handle dental issues while you’re traveling? Are there ways to avoid dental problems? Here are some tips on how to handle dental issues while traveling.

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How Crowded Teeth Affect Your Oral Health

The Impact of Crowded Teeth

If you have teeth that don’t seem to fit into your mouth, it probably makes you feel self-conscious about the way you look. Would it surprise you to learn that crowded teeth can affect more than just your self-esteem? Beyond the aesthetic impact, crowded teeth can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay, excessive wear, speech problems, and even TMJ disorders. Let’s take a look at the effects of crowded teeth, and how you can solve the problem.
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The Connection Between Oral Health and Systemic Diseases

The Impact of Oral Health on Your Overall Health

For years, scientists have been studying the link between oral health and overall health. While research is still ongoing, there are certain connections that are now well-documented. For example, significant associations have been found between periodontal disease and conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. The common thread linking these diseases is inflammation, and chronic low-level inflammation contributes to oral issues and issues like heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline. Understanding these connections underscores how important it is to maintain good oral health, in order to promote overall well-being.
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Oral Benefits of Saltwater Rinse

Mouthwash or Saltwater?

Do you use mouthwash? It is effective in freshening breath and cleaning areas you can’t reach by simply brushing and flossing. However, if you want a rinse that addresses a wider array of oral concerns, a saltwater rinse might be a better bet. Saltwater is known for its healing properties, and rinsing with saltwater can even positively impact your respiratory health. Here, we take a look at the benefits of incorporating a saltwater rinse into your oral health routine.
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Bad Breath: Causes and Remedies

The Problem of Bad Breath

Medically known as halitosis, bad breath is a problem that can happen to anyone. It is an embarrassing issue, and can cause anxiety, especially when it’s not easily remedied with gum, mints, or mouthwash. In many cases, halitosis can be remedied by keeping the mouth scrupulously clean. In other cases, it’s not that simple. Here, we’ll discuss some of the causes of bad breath, as well as some helpful remedies. Continue reading “Bad Breath: Causes and Remedies”

What Should You Do After a Root Canal?

What Should You Do After a Root Canal?

A root canal procedure is often essential to relieve pain and save a tooth that has been severely infected or decayed. While the procedure itself can be daunting for many, understanding the root canal recovery process is crucial for ensuring a quick and smooth healing period. This article delves into the best practices and tips for post-root canal care, ensuring that your recovery is as effective and comfortable as possible.

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Root Canal Myths Debunked: Is It Considered Oral Surgery?

Clearing Up Concerns About Root Canals

Few dental treatments induce as much anxiety and confusion as root canals. Amidst swirling myths and common misconceptions, one recurring question stands out: Is a root canal oral surgery? Despite common confusion, the simple answer is yes. In this article, we will explore why root canals fall under the category of oral surgery, debunk popular myths surrounding the procedure, and clarify what patients can expect. Continue reading “Root Canal Myths Debunked: Is It Considered Oral Surgery?”

Can Root Canals Last a Lifetime?

Root Canals, a Tooth-Saving Procedure

A root canal is a standard dental procedure intended to rescue teeth that have become badly infected or significantly decayed. However, patients often wonder: how long does a root canal last? Understanding the factors that influence the permanence of a root canal and the steps that can be taken to maximize its lifespan is crucial for maintaining oral health and making educated decisions about dental care. Continue reading “Can Root Canals Last a Lifetime?”

The Link Between Oral Health and Overall Well-Being

Woman caring for her dental health.

Good dental hygiene provides an extra boost of confidence. It’s easy to smile and share in conversations when you know your teeth are at their best. But aesthetics isn’t the only reason that you should be keen on keeping your mouth spic and span. Your overall wellness can depend on good dental routine, along with regular checkups and cleanings at your dentist. Let’s look at some of the different ways a healthy mouth can help you live a better life.

A Stitch in Time

Maintaining good dental hygiene practices, such as daily brushing and flossing, combined with regular dental checkups, can help you avoid issues such as cavities, gum disease and tooth decay. Left unchecked, these conditions can worsen to discomfort, infection, and tooth loss. Taking a proactive approach to your dental routine is the best way to stop problems before they can start.

Good For the Wallet

Fixing a serious dental problem is much more expensive than preventing the problem in the first place. The average root canal can cost anywhere from $700 to upwards of $2,000, depending on the tooth location. Dentures or dental implants cost even more. You can save yourself a headache, and a toothache, by proactively engaging in good dental hygiene.

For Your Health

Bad dental hygiene has been linked to serious health problems. Mouths are full of various types of bacteria, most of them harmless. But bacterial buildup from gum disease can contribute to bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. There is also a link between cardiovascular disease and gum disease, though scientists do not yet fully understand the connection. Inhaling the excess bacteria resulting from poor dental hygiene can even lead to respiratory disease and pneumonia.

Communication Matters

Your smile isn’t just for show; it’s an essential tool for communication. Dental problems like missing teeth can affect the way you talk, potentially causing confusion and eroding your social confidence. Maintaining proper oral health can help ensure your message stays on track.

Mental Health

Experiencing pain in your mouth is more than just an inconvenience. Dental problems can cause psychological issues and result in lower feelings of self-worth. On the other hand, a healthy smile can boost your confidence and increase your overall happiness.

Looking Out for Baby

For expectant mothers, oral health during pregnancy is crucial. Poor oral health has been associated with preterm birth and low birth weight. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can make women more susceptible to dental issues, underscoring the importance of dental care during this critical time.

The link between good oral health and overall well-being is undeniable. It’s not just about a dazzling smile; it’s about your physical, mental, financial, and emotional health. Park 56 Dental is here to be your partner in dental wellness. Voted NYC’s best dentist, we specialize in pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry. Don’t skip those dental appointments. Keep up with your daily oral hygiene routine and address any oral health concerns promptly. Your smile reflects your overall well-being, so let us help you make it a healthy one.

How Chronic Illnesses Can Affect Oral Health

Woman taking care of dental health by brushing teeth.

Oral Health and Overall Health

Did you know that the health of your mouth and the overall health of your body are connected? In fact, there is a bidirectional relationship between chronic illness and oral health. Some chronic diseases are directly associated with oral health issues, either causing or being caused by them. In other cases, there’s an indirect relationship, or shared risk factors. Let’s take a look at how chronic illnesses can affect oral health.

Chronic Diseases are Leading Causes of Death and Disability

Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancers, and obesity can all be linked with poor oral health. Because oral health conditions are often chronic, they can happen alongside other chronic conditions. Unfortunately, people with more than one chronic condition tend to have worse long-term health outcomes than those who only have one chronic condition. Prevention is the key to good health, and maintaining good oral health care can help prevent chronic diseases or improve the outcome for those who suffer from them.

Preventing Gum Disease Can Improve Health

Gum disease is very common, affecting about 75 percent of adults in the United States. If left untreated, gum disease can advance and increase the risk of serious health issues, like diabetes, heart disease/stroke, lupus, oral cancer, organ transplant, and rheumatoid arthritis. Fortunately, when detected early, gum disease can be reversed through good oral hygiene and regular dental care.

How Different Conditions are Connected

• Diabetes, periodontal disease, and tooth decay are interconnected. Though more research is needed, there is evidence to suggest that periodontal disease and tooth decay can exacerbate type 2 and gestational diabetes. This probably occurs because these conditions increase inflammation and blood sugar levels. By the same token, people who have diabetes are at higher risk of infections that can cause tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• Oral health issues may be associated with heart disease. Studies show that periodontal disease and tooth decay may increase a person’s risk of heart disease, or worsen existing heart conditions, by causing inflammation and damaging blood vessels.
• Tooth decay and periodontal disease may be associated with respiratory disease. There are studies that suggest that by causing an increase in bacteria, periodontal disease and tooth decay can increase the risk of respiratory conditions, including emphysema, pneumonia, and COPD, due to bacteria from the mouth colonizing in the respiratory tract. People at highest risk include older people, those who wear dentures, and people with decreased immune system function.
• Periodontal disease and tooth decay may be linked to some cancers. Even after controlling for other risk factors, like smoking and diet, there is evidence to suggest that oral health problems may be connected to cancers like lung, pancreatic, and head/neck cancers. In one study, a 35 percent increased risk for blood cancer and 21 percent increased risk for cancer in general for men with periodontal disease, and another suggests that there is also a 63 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Still another study suggests a 43 percent higher risk of esophageal cancer and a 52 percent higher risk of stomach cancer for those with periodontal disease, as compared to people with healthy gums.
• Obesity may increase the risk of oral health issues. The result of preliminary research on obesity and oral health speculates that secretions from adipose tissue increase the risk of inflammation, decreasing immunity as well as blood flow to the gums.

Talk to Your Dentist About Your Medications

Sometimes, the drugs prescribed for chronic illnesses can cause side effects that impact their oral health. For instance, swollen and bleeding gums, along with dry mouth can be side effects of medications for hypertension and heart conditions. Some drugs for high blood pressure can cause gum overgrowth, which can lead to decay and progressive gum disease. Because inflamed gums bleed easily, there is also a risk for ulceration and soreness. Other medications for hypertension can reduce saliva production, putting patients at risk for dry mouth and tooth decay. Heart medications like anticoagulants and blood thinners can raise a patient’s risk for prolonged bleeding, and can cause gums to bleed during brushing. There is also a risk, with these medications, of post-extraction bleeding or bleeding during cleaning. Your dentist might want to talk to your doctor about changing your medication.

Partner with Park 56 for a Healthy Mouth

If you’re looking for a dentist in New York, why not choose the dentist voted best in the city? At Park 56 Dental Group, we offer pediatric, prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, Invisalign®, emergency, and sedation dentistry, all at the highest level of treatment. We serve the Midtown, Central Park, Upper East Side, Park Avenue, and all surrounding Manhattan and New York areas, with a patient-centered practice that has hours to fit your schedule. Schedule your complimentary consultation today by contacting us online or calling us at (212) 826-2322.