Protect Your Teeth, Break the Habit

The smile is the facial expression that mostly attracts others. With the help of great teeth, it can look more attractive. The healthier your teeth are, the happier your look. Clearly, the teeth help us look our best. Good oral hygiene and avoiding bad habits that damage your teeth can help maintain its health.

You might think ice is harmless but chewing on hard, frozen cubes can cause chip or even cracks on your teeth. Mindless chomping can irritate the soft tissue inside a tooth which regular toothaches might follow. Grinding your teeth can wear them down over time. Avoiding stress and bad sleeping habits can lessen this problem. Sodas contain phosphoric and citric acids which can damage a tooth’s enamel. Opening stuff with your teeth may be convenient and fast, but this habit can cause your teeth to crack or chip. Like chewing on ice, this habit can cause teeth to chip or crack.

Take good care of your mouth and teeth, keep them healthy and beautiful by avoiding these oral health habits. Visit a dentist in Kirkland, WA today and have your pearly whites check for early prevention of oral problems. 

A Local Kirkland Dentist Can Help Your Family Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is an even bigger problem than what most would imagine. No other dental health complication has Americans pay thousands of dollars to treat for than tooth decay. The decay is caused by plaque in the teeth, which feed off on sugars left in the mouth, and release acid as a byproduct. Tooth decay leads to the development of dental caries, and in very severe cases, can lead to toothaches, periodontal diseases, and even permanent tooth loss. An article on the Dentistry IQ website posted last March 25, 2015 suggests an answer to the looming tooth decay issue. Using the framework of the IHI’s Triple Aim Initiative, a study group assessed whether the preventative care for Early Childhood Caries has any impact over costs for treatments later in the life of the patient. The study found very good results, noting that tests for early treatment for dental caries show a 10-year disease reduction and net savings from later treatments and preventative measures.
http://www.cheungdds.com/a-local-kirkland-dentist-can-help-your-family-prevent-tooth-decay/

A Dentist in Kirkland, WA Helps Your Family Maintain Healthy Teeth

Of the many dental complications that plague people today, dental cavities remain a perennial problem. Those whose diets are rich in sugar are most especially vulnerable to tooth decay and the formation of caries. Brushing and flossing can prevent tooth decay, but unless they are done as daily habits, the formation of cavities will still be a pressing concern. Unsurprisingly, children are the most vulnerable to cavities, particularly those who love candy and are not too keen with brushing. The website, PostBulletin.com, has a feature dated March 30, 2015 that discusses the importance of teaching children the values of good dental habits. The feature is a response to a reader-submitted question that inquired how cavities can be prevented in children. According to the responding author (a dentist himself), kids should brush at least twice a day using fluoride-enhanced toothpaste, and should try flossing as soon as possible.
http://www.cheungdds.com/a-dentist-in-kirkland-wa-helps-your-family-maintain-healthy-teeth/

The Dangers of Malocclusion Going Unaddressed

The Dangers of Malocclusion Going Unaddressed Crowded teeth, misaligned teeth, overbites, and under bites are just some of the alternative names for malocclusion. Ideally, all the upper teeth will fit slightly over the lower teeth for proper occlusion (alignment of the teeth) to occur. Malocclusion is often inherited, there are other causes:

 

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Childhood habits like thumb sucking, pacifier use beyond 3 years of age, and prolonged use of a bottle.

• Extra teeth, lost teeth, impacted teeth, or abnormally shaped teeth.

• Ill-fitting dental filling, crowns, retainers, or braces.

• Sever injury causing the misalignment or the jaw.

• Tumors in the mouth or jaw.

Different Classification and Symptoms of Malocclusion

Classifications: 

Class 1: The most common classification where the bite is normal, but the upper teeth slightly overlaps the lower teeth.

Class 2: Also called retognathism or overbite, where the upper jaw and teeth severely overlaps the lower teeth.

Class 3: Commonly referred to as prognathism or underbite, where the lower jaw juts forward, which causes the lower jaw to overlap the upper jaw and teeth.

Symptoms:

• Abnormal alignment of teeth

• Abnormal appearance of face

• Discomfort or difficulty while biting or chewing

• Although rare, speech difficulties like lisps can develop

Treatment Options

A very few number of people have perfect teeth, but most are fortunate enough to have minor problems that do not need treatment. Malocclusion on the other hand is the most common reason to call in an orthodontist. By getting moderate or severe malocclusion addressed by your dentist in Kirkland, WA the patient’s teeth are easier to clean. This lessens the risk of tooth decay and periodontal diseases. The treatment also eliminates the strain on teeth, jaws, and muscles, which will lessen the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders. Don’t let teeth misalignment get in the way of your health; address the situation as soon as possible.

What Your Mouth Has to Say about Your Health

Everyone has heard the saying “the eyes are the window to your soul” at least once, but how many have heard the phrase “your mouth is a mirror to your overall health”? It is an odd saying, but it is true. Our mouth is more than just for talking, smiling, and chewing our food; your oral health can actually offer clues to your overall health. Understanding the connection between the two will make you realize how crucial your oral hygiene practices can be.

Connecting Oral Health with Overall Health

The idea of oral health being tied to overall health may seem farfetched, but experts have agreed that any disease related to the mouth has an impact somewhere else in the body. Inflammation is the body’s response to an infection. With 30-50% of American adults having mild to moderate gum disease, latest research are hoping that treating inflammation caused by gum disease can improve other diseases.

 

The Different Diseases

Your oral health might be affected or can contribute to these various conditions:

• Endocarditis – Occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of the body spreads through your bloodstream and attach to the damaged areas in the heart

• Cardiovascular disease – Inflammation and infections form heart disease, clogged arteries, and stroke can be caused by oral bacteria.

• Pregnancy and Birth – Peridontitis has been linked to low birth weight and sometimes premature births.

• Diabetes – The body’s resistance to infection is lowered which puts gums at risk.

 

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

These are just some of the conditions that are linked to oral health. It is important to tell your dentist in Kirkland, WA if there are any changes in your overall health, new medications, or if you have any chronic conditions like diabetes. Regular brushing and flossing will help deter gum disease, if you are still concerned about your overall health, visit your dentist in Kirkland, WA to see if he can help with the diagnosis.

The Naked Truth: A Visit to a Kirkland Dentist Isn’t All About Smiles

For the most part, people visit a trusty Kirkland dentist like Dr. Louis K. Cheung, DDS to get beautiful, healthy teeth—a set worthy of a thousand pictures. As it turns out, however, dental visits aren’t all about appearance. According to Dr. Richard Price, spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA), an unhealthy mouth literally equates to an unhealthy physique. He made these claims in light of various studies, which have identified links between oral health and nefarious diseases like oral cancer as well as heart disease, bacterial pneumonia, stroke, and even problematic pregnancies.
http://www.cheungdds.com/naked-truth-visit-kirkland-dentist-isnt-smiles/y

Discolored Teeth: A Common Issue Treated By a Kirkland, WA Dentist

In a society that considers white teeth a definite criteria for looking good, having yellow teeth is a curse—one that can only be lifted with the help of a trusted dentist in Kirkland, WA and elsewhere. There are two major causes for teeth discoloration: foods and drinks that stain, and the acids in certain ones that eat away at the teeth’s enamel coating. Tooth enamel is naturally white at its thickest point, but once it wears down, teeth get yellower/darker since the innermost layer of dentin is exposed. This dentin layer of the teeth is naturally yellowish in color, so the thinner your enamel gets, the yellower your teeth will look.
http://www.cheungdds.com/discolored-teeth-common-issue-treated-kirkland-wa-dentist/