Nature vs. Nurture: Riverside Dentists on Recent Findings

Posted

Some things pass down from generation to generation. Poor joint health, poor vision, and an increased risk of heart problems are all forms of genetic predispositions. Is the same true for oral health? If your parents suffered from gum disease, are you already on a collision course for gum disease? According to a new study published in Genome Research, genetic predisposition may not play such a large role in oral health. The dentists of Riverside Dental Group discuss the recent study and findings regarding nature versus nurture in terms of oral health.

The Study Conducted

In order to determine a link between genetics and the microbial make up of an individual’s mouth, scientists studied two groups of twins. The scientists studied microbial DNA found in the saliva of all the twins studied. Two types of twins were studied. Half of the twins were identical, while the other twins were only fraternal. By studying the microbial DNA of all the twins, they sought to find concrete evidence of genetic predisposition, or evidence of environment playing a more substantial role.

(more…)

Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy: Temecula Dentists Discuss Recent Findings

Posted

Pregnancy can be a magical time for mothers and their children. Physically, the human body undergoes tremendous changes while pregnant. Most parents strive to give their children the very best. Recent studies on pregnancy, obesity, and sleep apnea could equip parents with new information about the associated risks. New research also provides information on how to diminish the chance of a C-section delivery and how to reduce the rate of infants being admitted to neonatal intensive care. The dentists of The Oasis Family Dental discuss the recent findings on how sleep apnea in pregnancy may harm mother and baby.

Sleep Apnea Study

Sleep apnea among obese patients is quite prevalent. Currently, sleep apnea affects less than 10% of the general population, but as much as 40% of people classified as obese. The study was conducted using 175 pregnant women classified as obese and recently published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.

(more…)

Gum Disease: Men at Higher Risk than Women

Posted

Although losing a tooth called for celebration as a child, losing a tooth as an adult can be a trying ordeal. Many people don’t realize that the leading cause of tooth loss is gum disease. Avoiding gum disease for your entire life is becoming increasingly difficult. Reports indicate roughly 80% of adults in America will suffer from gum disease at some point during their life.

Recent studies are illustrating which segments of the American population are more at risk for developing gum disease. The dentists at Dental Associates of Riverside discuss gum disease prevention and how men are at higher risk for gum disease.

Gum Disease Rates for Men and Women

Gender equality could exist in society, but it doesn’t exist when it comes to gum disease. According to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, men are at a significantly higher risk for developing gum disease than women. Currently, the rate for gum disease is 56.4% among men in America. The CDC also estimates that at least 50% of the population currently has gum disease. For women, the number drops to 38.4%. For patients over the age of 65, over 70% of people currently have some form of gum disease. As the population continues to live longer, the rate of gum disease among people over 65 will surely increase.

(more…)

Symptoms Worthy of Contacting Your Moreno Valley Dentist

Posted

Most patients navigate through their day-to-day to life experiencing little or no immediate symptoms which warrant an unscheduled dental visit. The two regularly scheduled checkups per year are usually enough to address patients’ dental treatment needs. Occasionally, patients will lapse on their regularly scheduled six-month appointments and run into unfamiliar symptoms. The dentists at Dental Associates of Moreno Valley discuss the symptoms which should make you call the dentist.

Tooth Pain: A Definite Symptom

First and foremost is dental pain. If you’re experiencing any tooth pain, it could be a sign of serious oral health issues. Typically, a simple cavity does not cause pain unless it progresses to the point of hitting a nerve. Tooth pain could be attributed to an abscess. Generally, abscesses cause tremendous discomfort for patients. An abscess is an infected tooth. The bacterium infecting the tooth causes the surrounding tissue to swell. The swelling results in throbbing mouth pain around the abscessed tooth.

(more…)

Craze Line Quiz with Riverside Dentists

Posted

A confident smile can lead to confidence throughout a person’s life. Flashing a bright smile leaves patients feeling confident. However, unsightly cracks could be inhibiting some people’s ability to feel good about smiling. Craze lines are a problem common among older adults, but can occur at different stages throughout life. The dentists of Riverside Dental Group developed a short quiz to test your knowledge on how to treat craze lines and what causes craze lines.

(more…)

Riverside Dentist Tests Your Candy Knowledge

Posted

Do you think all candy affects your teeth the same way? Many people simply assume that candy is bad for teeth, no matter what. Although candy rarely benefits your teeth, there could be great disparity in the amount of tooth enamel damage caused by some candies versus others. The dentists at Dental Associates of Riverside prepared a short, true-false quiz to test readers’ knowledge on candy.

(more…)

Moreno Valley Dentists on the Dangers of Movie Snacking

Posted

Do you love being frightened? As Halloween nears closer and closer, many people get in the mood for scary movies. Whether it is a horror classic, or a new edition of a current franchise, snacking will surely take place.

Some of the go-to snacks for movie watchers are popcorn, and chocolate-covered raisins. Although they may appear harmless enough, these snacks can cause cavities, toothaches, and even abscesses.

Let’s take a look at some of the truly scary aspects of the horror-movie snacking experience.

Popcorn Damage

The smell of popcorn can be a tantalizing temptation. However, it is not the smell of popcorn which can cause damage to teeth. Many people grab popcorn by the handfuls and shovel it into their mouths without much consideration for raw kernels. Biting down on a kernel yet to be popped can result in a cracked tooth. Always survey the popcorn scene before pouring a handful into your mouth.

(more…)

Corona Dentist Details Harmful Halloween Candy

Posted

With each passing day, children move one step closer to donning their Halloween costumes. The ultimate goal of children everywhere on October 31st is singular: get candy. Some candies have ingredients that are more harmful to teeth than others. Today, the dentists at Dentistry of Corona will outline which candies to steer clear from on Halloween night.

Fruit Roll Out

Although few candy bars on the market still use real fruit, chocolate-covered raisins remain a staple in the treat arena. Milk chocolate poses fewer oral health risks than many other Halloween options, but raisins stick to, and between, teeth. Cavities, bacteria, and even abscesses can develop from food caught in teeth.So, chocolate is okay, but chocolate covered raisins are a no-no.

(more…)

Riverside Dentist Discusses Lung Health and Gum Disease

Posted

Do you ever wonder about the role oral health plays in overall health? Recent studies are focusing on the connection between oral health and its relation to the rest of the body. The association between cardiovascular health and periodontal health is one of the connections scientists are continually exploring.

Other studies suggest certain respiratory infections could potentially be linked to your oral health as well. Your Riverside periodontist, Dr. David M. Ludwig, discusses the information contained within the recently conducted study, and how to maintain optimal periodontal health.

Study and Findings

According to a recent publication of the Journal of Periodontology, researchers suggest gum health could play a role in the health of people’s respiratory system. Respiratory infections affect a large number of patients from various age groups. Patients suffering from pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and other diseases were studied to determine the link between their periodontal health and current respiratory issues.

(more…)

Riverside Dentist Discusses How to Avoid Bad Breath

Posted

Do you know a friend, coworker, or family member with bad breath? The development of foul breath could be caused by an array of factors, but studies show 80% of halitosis (chronic bad breath) cases develop orally. In some cases, conditions such as acid reflux or even liver disease can lead to the development of halitosis. Your Riverside dentist, Dr. Jay Elliot shares a few tips on how to avoid bad breath.

Avoid Bad Breath with an Oral Care Regimen

Improving oral health and hygiene is important for a number of reasons. Researchers continue to uncover links between oral health and overall health, connecting oral issues such asgum disease to other systemic health issues, including heart disease. Many people brush twice per day, but simply are not doing enough to ensure their entire mouth is clean and healthy.

(more…)