How Does Smoking Affect Your Teeth?
Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health, but did you know it can cause major dental issues as well?
Smoking and Dental Problems
A long-term smoker’s smile is often riddled with yellowness and even dark spots between teeth. The many carcinogens (a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue) in cigarettes can cause major discoloration and lead to tooth decay. Smoking also inhibits the body’s natural restorative processes, making it more time-consuming to recover from surgeries and can create further complications, especially with procedures involving dental work. One study suggests that more than 1/3 of smokers have at least three dental issues. That’s 4x the rate of non-smokers.
The Link to Gum Disease
Studies have shown smokers are at significant risk for gum or periodontal disease. Bacterial plaque—a leading factor in gum disease—is built up more frequently in mouths of smokers. The lack of oxygen in the bloodstream makes it difficult to heal the infected areas.
What’s the Best Age for Invisalign®?
With treatment times up to 2x faster, Invisalign® gets you into your new smile in no time. But what exactly is the best age for Invisalign®? The simple answer: There’s no set-in-stone age. Rather, there are certain conditions that must be met. And those are:
- All baby teeth must be gone
- First molars and permanent incisors must have come through
- There can be no significant tooth decay or damage
- The aligners must be worn 22 hours or more every day—the candidate must be mature enough to comply with this treatment
Patients as young as 11 or 12 have received Invisalign®. The majority of teen treatments are in the 12-16 age range.
If you’re an adult looking to get your old smile back, it’s never too late for Invisalign®. If you’re uncertain of whether you’d be a good candidate, just book an appointment and we’d be happy to review your individual needs.
Will Invisalign® Disrupt My Life?
You don’t have to worry about your life being interrupted—whether you’re having lunch with friends or playing your favorite sport, Invisalign® won’t slow you down. Just simply remove the aligners and you’re ready to go. Foods that prove challenging with braces are no worries with Invisalign®. Popcorn at the movies? Corn on the cob? Enjoy all of your favorite foods without the mess and worry.
Thanks to precise molding, Invisalign® is better fitting than other aligners on the market and works with greater predictability and control. This means a snug, comfortable fit that’s tailored to your teeth.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of Invisalign®, feel free to book an appointment or give us a call at 757-497-4825.
How to Fix Bad Breath
Whether it’s morning breath, coffee breath, or anything in between, bad breath is something everyone deals with at one time or another. But what causes bad breath and how can we fix it?
The Causes of Bad Breath
From your gumline to under your tongue, your mouth is filled with millions of bacteria. Poor oral hygiene can result is these bacteria not only surviving, but thriving.
Bad breath can also be a symptom of a larger underlying issue, including bronchitis or pneumonia, or an infection in your tonsils, throat, or nasal cavity. Thrush (an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth) is also a potential cause of bad breath.
The cause can be varied. But if you’re in good health, then there are a few ways you can fix bad breath.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Dentist
If you’re suffering from bad breath, a great place to start is with your dentist. After all, they’ve seen it all and can offer you tailored advice. (And if you’re in the Virginia Beach area, schedule an appointment with Dr. Fernandez!)
The Real Cost of Sugary Drinks
Though sugary drinks may be delicious, they come at a steep cost. Not only can they lead to obesity, long-term consumption can cause health issues and, of course, tooth decay. Here are a couple drinks to beware of that may have more sugar than you thought.
Whole Fruit is Better Than Fruit Juice
Fruit juices may sound like a great option, but they’re dense with sugar. Next time you reach for the fruit juice, be sure to check out the nutrition facts on the label. You’ll be shocked to discover the amount of sugar—sometimes they contain even more than popular sugary drinks, like Coke. Whole fruits, on the other hand, have less sugar and also other key nutrients such as fiber.
5 Tips for a Bright Summer Smile
Summer is the perfect time for vacations, which means tons of exciting vacation photos. Want your smile to look its best? Here are 5 tips for a bright summer smile.
1. Brush the Right Way
Buy a toothpaste with fluoride and use a gentle back and forth stroke. Don’t forget to brush your tongue!
2. Brush Every Night
You’ve had a long day and it’s time for bed. Before you slip into dreamland, grab your toothbrush and clean your teeth. It prevents buildup of plaque and helps keep decay at bay.
3. Change Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months
Your bristles may not be worn down, but there’s another reason to change out your toothbrush: bacteria. The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush every three months. And be sure to only buy toothbrushes that are labeled as having soft bristles. Anything harder can push back your gums over time.
Flossing: 3 Tricks to Do it Every Day
Since your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere in your mouth (especially between your teeth), you need to floss to keep up proper oral hygiene. Yet so many of us either choose not to floss or simply forget to do it. Here are three tricks to floss every day.
Floss in the Shower
By attaching the act of flossing to a habit you already have, you’re more likely to meld the two habits together. This kicks out the worries associated with forming a new habit from scratch, which, as we all know, can be quite difficult.
Create a Craving
In the book The Power of Habit, author Charles Duhigg explains that a cornerstone of forming a new habit is creating a craving, which is at the heart of all habits. The reward of flossing is better breath and a healthier mouth today, and a solid foundation for the future of your oral health. Remind yourself of this reward, and your brain will have further drive to create a craving to floss every day.