Most Women Practice Better Dental Care

In the battle of the sexes, it would seem that women are ahead in terms of proper dental care. This is according to a study conducted by the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This study surveyed eight hundred participants on their dental habits, then subjected them all to a dental examination. Their findings were as follows:

  • Women were 26% more likely to report flossing every day.
  • Women were about twice as likely to report maintaining regular checkups.
  • 44% of women surveyed stated that they were aware that their overall bodily health was influenced by periodontal visits. 33% of men reported the same.
  • Women were about twice as likely to take notice of a missing tooth in another person.
  • 74% of women stated that they would feel embarrassment at being seen with a missing tooth. 57% of men said the same.

If your own dental habits could stand some improvement, contact Meadow Creek Dental. Our Issaquah dentist can give you the proper care that you deserve.

Is Your Tea Giving You Cancer?

Many health-minded individuals drink tea for its numerous proven benefits. A good tea promises to reduce your stress, purge toxins from your body, and decrease your risk of various diseases. Knowing this, it can come as a surprise that this same tea may also be inviting esophageal cancer upon you.

Researchers took a look at a number of patients being treated for esophageal cancer, finding that many of them reported regularly drinking more than a litre of hot black tea. Apparently, the high temperature of the beverage can do unfortunate damage to your delicate throat tissues, increasing your risk of developing malignant growths. Drinking your tea at above sixty five degrees puts you at a significantly greater risk, while teas heated up above seventy degrees are even worse.

Knowing this, it is a simple matter to avoid the increased risk brought on by your tea-drinking habit. Simply allow your tea to sit for at least four minutes after you’ve finished boiling the water, after which it should fall safely below the sixty degree level. This, coupled with regular check-ups with our Issaquah dentist, will do wonders to help prevent cancer in your mouth or throat.

Are There Harmful Substances in Your Toothpaste?

Many people don’t give too much thought as to what’s in their toothpaste. Aside from the fluoride content, there is very little to interest the average brusher. However, there are certain ingredients found in trace amounts in many common pastes that may have unfortunate implications. In small amounts, they are likely entirely harmless, but with over seven hundred brushings every year, these substances can build up. Some of the ingredients to look out for include the following:

  • Blue Dye No. 2: It has been suggested that this artificial color can be attributed to the development in learning and behavioral issues in children.
  • Hydrated Silica: This substance is an abrasive, which is an important part of a toothpaste. However, this abrasive is particularly strong and can break down your enamel over time.
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Some people find this substance irritating, and it has been known to cause or irritate canker sores.
  • 30: The Environmental Protection Agency does not yet understand the effects of this substance, and further study is required.

Holiday Stress and Your Teeth

December is one of the most stressful times of year for many people. Either you’re anxious over your preparations for vacation and the winter holidays, or the gloomy feel of the season encourages depression. Unfortunately, the additional stress you are feeling takes its toll on your oral health. Too much stress can cause your gums to recede and impair your mouth’s ability to fight infections. Some people start grinding their teeth, which wears down their enamel, while others even develop painful oral sores. Therefore, it’s important to find ways to manage your stress.

Careful planning is a good way to start. Some of us are guilty of biting off more than we can chew, which never ends well. Try being mindful of your limitations, and don’t commit to too much. There are likely people in your life that you can count on for help; identify these people early on, and share tasks where appropriate.

Whatever happens, don’t let yourself slack off on your normal brushing and flossing. In addition to its normal benefits, there is comfort to be derived from maintaining your usual, daily habits. This will help you control your stress, and get the best out of your oral care.

Are Pickles Rotting Your Teeth?

It’s old news that candy and other sugary foods encourage tooth rot. Of course, this is not the only way to get a cavity quickly. There are some tooth-rotting foods that you may never expect to be harsh on your enamel, one of these being pickles.

This revelation comes to us from a team of British researchers, who conducted a study on the eating habits of English teenagers. Many of these teenagers had a penchant for pickles, and these same youths were found to have a particular tendency for tooth decay. The acidic vinegar used in the pickling process is apparently to blame for this decay, as it has largely the same effect on your enamel that your oral bacteria does.

If you like pickles, the good news is that you have to eat a significant number of pickled substances for it to have a notable effect on your teeth. Be mindful of your eating habits, get your regular cleanings with our Issaquah dentist, and you should be able to ward off cavities while still enjoying your favorite pickled foods.

Dental Care During Pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, her whole body goes through a serious adjustment. Her mouth is no exception. There are many ways that pregnancy impacts your routine oral health, so keep the following tips in mind to ensure the best health for yourself and your unborn baby:

  • Plan Your Dental Appointments Around your Trimesters: Dental treatment should be avoided during your first and third trimesters, as these are important times in the baby’s development. Try to plan your routine checkups with our Issaquah dentist during your second trimester. Also, be sure to ask us about any dental medication you may be taking.
  • Avoid X-Rays: Modern dental x-rays are safer than ever before, but there is no reason to expose your unborn baby to radiation during this particularly vulnerable time.
  • Watch Out for Gum Disease: Hormonal changes are putting your gums at particular risk. Practice strict oral hygiene, and pay close attention for signs of gingivitis.
  • Switch to a Bland Toothpaste: Anyone who has been through morning sickness knows the value of a bland toothpaste.
  • Rinse After Vomiting: Morning sickness often means vomiting, which exposes the delicate tissues and enamels in your mouth to harsh stomach acids. Rinse out with water or mouthwash after vomiting, but don’t brush; the acids in your mouth have temporarily weakened your teeth, and brushing too soon can strip this enamel away.