Suisun City Dental News and Information
Ways that Green Tea Can Help a Healthy Smile
Coffee is the most preferred drink for Americans to jumpstart their day. However, we all know that it stains the teeth and is the cause of the unrelenting coffee breath. Have you ever thought of switching to green tea? Studies show that it improves oral health and at the same time, gives you the caffeine boost that you need to start your day.
There are so many people who drink tea and in fact, it is the second choice, next to water. The Chinese and the Indians are the top drinkers of green for a very long time now and that is because they firmly believe in its medicinal properties such as healing wounds, improving cardiovascular health, regulating body temperature, improving digestion and boosting mental activity.
Americans are more familiar with black tea, which is described to have less antioxidants and less caffeine than green tea. Research shows that the unfermented gree tea leaves have the highest concentration of polyphenol and catechin which are integral in treating high cholesterol, cancer, diabetes, liver disease and other similar conditions.
Moreover, scientific studies have shown that green has a lot of ability in contributing to better oral health. By drinking one to six cups of green tea every day, you can have better oral health by:
Reducing periodontal inflammation - A 2009 research by The American Academy of Periodontology showed that patients who drank at least one cup of green tea per day had better periodontal health compared to those who did not consume green tea.
Killing oral cancer cells - Polyphenol, a powerful antioxidant found in green tea, acts as a neutralizer to reduce the cancer-causing free radicals and it is the same ingredient that can actually kill existing oral cancer cells.
Preventing the formation of dental plaque - Consuming green tea or rinsing with a green tea extract aids in the reduction of plaque and the occurrence of dental caries.
Killing odor causing bacteria - Research by the University of Illinois found that ingredients in green tea can inhibit the growth of oral bacteria and interfere with the production of hydrogen sulfide.
A Stress Free Smile, the Gift to Give
For some people, stress is such a normal occurrence because there is always a source of it. School, work, relationships, finances, or the holidays are all the top stressors for almost everyone. The holiday season is the most popular time when people are stressed because of all the cooking, travelling, shopping, and other things that we have to do, we do not have time to relax and have fun and truly enjoy the holidays. “The most wonderful time of the year” has become the most stressful one.
What can we do then?
Smile.
As they say, it is easier to smile than to frown, because of the lesser number of muscles that is involved in smiling. Smiling can evoke a feeling of happiness. According to verified research, the muscles in our face are stimulated and exercised and sends signals to our brain that there is that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
Not only does smiling affect the self but it also affects the others. The radiance of a smile can emanate a positive feeling onto others and they can also feel that same emotion too. When you smile, other people take that cue to also smile, and so they say, a smile can be contagious, little will you know the whole world actually smiles with you.
So when you are faced with the different sources of stress, all you have to do is smile. This holiday season, not only will you feel good but you can also spread the cheer and love to your family and friends!
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth!
If your baby lost a tooth, then it is a great sign because your kid is now growing up! It is a funny experience for some parents and for the kids as well as they compare notes with their peers. As a parent, you have to be more concerned about other things such as what to expect after a tooth has fallen out.
Baby teeth usually fall out in the order that they grow: bottom incisors first then top incisors. At the age of five or six, a child will start having the baby teeth fall out. Sometimes there are kids that lose their baby teeth as early as four years old but there are also some children who lose them when they are a bit older, when they are around seven years old.
The root of the baby teeth dissolves just as the permanent teeth will push itself out. Baby teeth will fall out by themselves and there can be instances when they will be stuck with the food that your child is chewing then they may accidentally swallow it. Don’t fret, because it is totally harmless!
What else do you need to know about baby teeth?
- Never pull a loose tooth out. Just let it be and let nature take its course. Forcing it out might open it up for infections.
- Wiggling a baby tooth is fine. You can encourage your kid to wiggle it a little bit more too.
- Adult teeth are of course in their adult size. They may look big against the small head of your kid but do not worry, your kid’s head will get bigger in proportion to the adult teeth.
- Baby teeth are whiter than adult teeth. This is perfectly normal and you will notice the difference a little less when the rest of the adult teeth set have emerged.
- It is painful. It can be a little uncomfortable for your child but analgesics can help ease the pain.
Call the dentist when the following applies:
- A baby tooth is lost too early. A space maintainer keeps other teeth from moving into the gap.
- Shark teeth! Some children appear to have two rows of teeth if an adult tooth erupts prior to a baby tooth falling out.
- Still not a loser. If your kid has not lost a baby tooth by age seven, consult your dentist.
When your kid starts to lose baby teeth, their attention is drawn into it. Take advantage of this by encouraging them to form good oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice a day, flossing, and being wary about the sweets that they eat that may be harmful for their teeth. Make them familiar with the dentist by regularly bringing them to the dental clinic for visits.
The Amazing, Disappearing Dental Insurance Benefits!
You must visit your dentist before the year ends. There is a big advantage in doing so especially if you are under insurance. You must be able to avail of the dental services that you are entitled to before the year ends or you will regret it because they might get more expensive next year, or you simple cannot get your money’s worth for this year. Read on for these insurance dental benefits that you must have before the year ends.
Yearly maximum
There is a certain limit for the amount of dental procedures that you can avail of in one year. For next year, it’s a whole new set. Make sure that you visit your dentist now so that you will be able to maximize what is allotted for this year.
Deductible
New year means a new deductible. This amount is usually around $50, and insured patients should be able to pay that amount prior to any procedures that year. Of course you have paid this year’s deductible so make sure you get that money’s worth by visiting your dentist now.
Insurance fees
You do not know how much increase you will encounter next year for your premiums. Visit your dentist now to make sure that you will pay this year’s fees.
Emergencies
Visit your dentist now to reduce the risk of any dental emergency this season. You’ll never know, your dentist might be busy with the holiday season too and may not be available to attend to you.
It Must Be in the Water!
Everyone knows that fluoride is an essential mineral that is needed by our teeth. A lot of people undergo fluoride treatments to strengthen the teeth and even our toothpastes, dental rinses, and even our water supply are all fortified with fluoride. There are even some cities that mandate to have fluoride in the water to ensure that citizens will have their daily dose of fluoride for better oral health.
How did the fluoride revolution start?
In the 1930s, it was discovered that fluoride prevents tooth decay. City governments then tried to explore the possibility of adding fluoride in the drinking water supply to provide the public with the fluoride that they need. The first area to offer this was Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1935. Studies then showed that after six years of the installation of fluoride enriched drinking water, there is a significant reduction in cavities in children in that area. Today, there are at least 72% of the whole American population that are enjoying the benefits of having fluoride enriched drinking water. For the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, this is one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century, next to immunizations and motor vehicle safety.
If you are a bottled water fanatic, you might not be enjoying the benefits of the fluoride enriched tap water. Talk to your dentist regarding this option to help you have a better looking smile!
To find out more about the fluoridated water in your community, visit the CDC My Water’s Fluoridation page.
