Oral health and its link to adequate nutrition

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain a healthy diet and consume the proper amount of vitamins in order to remain in good health. Older adults are particularly susceptible to nutrient-deficient conditions, such as osteoporosis and anemia. In response to this need, researchers for the Journal of the American Dental Association studied a group of seniors ages 79 and older and analyzed their diets. What they found has since shed more light on the need for oral hygiene. In this study, seniors who had fewer natural and healthy teeth were found to have poorer dietary habits and higher nutrient deficiencies. This same conclusion was drawn about older adults who do not have properly fitting dentures. In both cases, the seniors who maintained good oral hygiene and had either natural teeth or well-fitting dentures were more likely to eat a variety of foods and, consequently, consume a wider range of vitamins throughout the day.

Based on this study, the researchers at JADA concluded that it is important to encourage dental hygiene as a person ages in order to avoid needing dentures. In the event that a person does need dentures, however, it’s equally important that he is educated about the proper use and fit of false teeth. One way to achieve this is by encouraging a healthy exchange of communication between older adults and their dentists. If you or someone in your family seems to not be eating as well due to deteriorating or ill-fitting teeth, make an appointment with your discount dentist to talk about your options. Your dentist will be able to give you suggestions on taking proper care of your teeth as you age and can also make sure any dentures you already have are the correct size and shape for your mouth. By taking advantage of this link between oral hygiene and nutrition, you can make maintaining your health both simple and affordable.

Conquer your dental anxiety

If you start sweating at the thought of going to your biannual dental appointment, you are not alone. Many people – including adults – face anxiety when it comes to getting their teeth cleaned. Fortunately, people whose anxiety stems from a bad experience as a child can take comfort in the fact that technology has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years. In addition to making it much more comfortable and painless to go to the dentist, technological advances have made it easier for dentists to diagnose problems accurately and quickly. For instance, new X-ray equipment has made it faster and safer to get your teeth evaluated, and dentists are able to catch small oral issues before they become a real problem. If you still feel nervous to get your teeth cleaned, the American Dental Association suggests the following tips:

• Choose an appointment time that will not make you feel rushed or pressured. For instance, appointments early on a Saturday won’t leave you feeling stressed about getting back to work, and you will be able to better focus on your oral health.
• Bring an mp3 player with you to disguise the sound of dental equipment. Many people are nervous about the sound of a drill, so your favorite songs will help drown those fears out.
• Use visualization techniques to relax. Picture yourself on the beach or another favorite vacation spot – what does it feel like? Are your feet sinking into the sand and the sun hitting your face? The more detail you put into your visualization, the calmer you will feel and the more you will be able to forget about your anxieties.
• Finally, and most importantly, talk to your dentist about your anxiety.

Dentists on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan understand that patients may be nervous, and they are more than willing to help put you at ease according to your needs. For instance, if you prefer to have the dentist explain everything before he does it, just ask. The important thing is that you are comfortable coming back so you can take good care of your oral health.

How to find discount dentists in your area

Are you about to have a dental procedure done and you would like to save money in the process? All you simply have to do is sign up with a discount dental plan, then search for local participating dentists dental care specialists in your area.

When you sign up for a discount dental plan and you’d like to save on dental procedures you just have to present your dental discount savings card to your participating dentists office.

What should I know about sedation at the dentist?

Although most dental visits are for preventative purposes and require no anesthesia, in some cases, you may need to undergo a more complex procedure. In such an instance, your dentist may recommend using anesthesia. Depending on the procedure, you may need just a simple sedative to help you relax. These include anti-anxiety agents and can be applied along with a local sedative, according to the American Dental Association. Once provided, a patient will become moderately sedated but will still be responsive to touch or verbal instructions. For more complex procedures – such as tooth extractions – your dentist may recommend drugs to induce a deep sedation. Under this type of sedation, a patient loses feeling in the intended area and reaches a reduced state of consciousness.

Some patients also elect to undergo general anesthesia, which causes the patient to lose complete consciousness for the duration of the procedure. This is often used during wisdom tooth extraction, but the American Dental Association suggests it can also be used for children who have extreme anxiety at the dentist or for people with disabilities that make it difficult to control movement. In order to make safety the highest priority during procedures with anesthesia, you as the patient should be sure to communicate the following information to your True Dental Discounts, dentist ahead of time:

• Any current or past illnesses or health conditions;
• Any medications taken, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements;
• Any allergies to medications.

With this information, your dentist can help you make informed decisions about your dental care.

Green tea and your oral health

Many studies have linked green tea to benefits in weight loss and cancer prevention, and now drinking this popular beverage could positively impact your oral health. According to a study in the Journal of Periodontology, people who regularly drink green tea have better periodontal health than others. Male participants in the study were evaluated on three indicators of periodontal disease – periodontal pocket depth, bleeding on probing of the gum tissue, and clinical attachment loss of gum tissue.

It was found that for every one cup of green tea consumed each day, each of these three indicators decreased, meaning green tea was able to reduce the symptoms of periodontal disease. Researchers at the American Academy of Periodontology suggest that this is because green tea interferes with the body’s inflammatory response to periodontal bacteria, allowing it to fight off gum disease. And by protecting a person’s oral health, it also promotes overall body health. Cheers!