Archive for August, 2010

What are dental implants and are they worth it? Dental implants are titanium screws, comparable to the roots of a tooth, used to secure and dental prosthetics, such as crowns, bridges or dentures. Dental implants are the most successful procedures done to date. The five year success rate for a lower jaw implant is approximately 95% and 90% for the upper if properly cared for, as you would your natural teeth, such as brushing and flossing twice a day.
There are quite a few major positive points for a dental implant, and those are; appearance, they look and feel like your natural teeth, in the case of dentures they can improve speech and comfort, because they secure the fit and can make them feel like natural teeth.
Dental implants are not for everyone. There are a few factors that your healthcare provider will look at. One of them is your past oral care, or the bone structure of your jaw, a lack of bone in your jaw can cause an implant to fail.

Early in the 1920’s chewing tobacco was made popular by Major League Baseball, but wavered when the “spitball” was banned. The trend has picked up steam in the last thirty years, when anti-smoking became very common; some people believe that smokeless tobacco is not as harmful. In fact, it holds many of the same risks, and a few more. There is an increased risk of mouth, throat, cheek, gum, lip, tongue cancers and besides life threatening, the surgery can leave your face, jaw and chin disfigured, as well as an increased risk of kidney and pancreatic cancer. The fiberglass and course particles scratch against the enamel on your teeth making the teeth more sensitive and susceptible for cavities. Gum disease is a leading problem with smokeless tobacco users because the irritants cause your gums to recede from your teeth and can cause your teeth to move and fall out, as well as bad breath.

The idea of red wine being good for your health is not a new idea but you may have not heard about the positive effects 3-4 ounces of red wine does for not just your cardiovascular health, but also your oral health.

The reason being red wine contains two key ingredients, one an antioxidant known as proanthocyanidins, found in red wine, and dark chocolate counteracts a bacteria known as streptoccus mutans, with sticks to your teeth and saliva, and can cause tooth decay. The second ingredient in red wine is known as polyphenols, which is found in the grape seeds, and helps control inflammation due to gingivitis or infection and even periodontal disease.